When Patricia Wiskes, a relatively young woman, joined active politics in 2023, her mission was simple but ambitious to serve the people of Lilongwe City Nankhaka Constituency as their Member of Parliament.

Despite being a newcomer, Wiskes quickly gained massive support from friends, family, and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

“Despite being young, a woman, and a first timer, the party supported me to claim victory in the September 16, 2025 elections,” she said.

But her political journey, she admits, has not been without challenges.

“During the campaign period, I was called names by some male candidates, but I remained strong and did not allow them to distract me from achieving my political aspirations,” she said.

Her perseverance has not gone unrewarded. Few days ago, the DPP through its Secretary General Peter Mukhito announced the appointment of Wiskes as the party’s Chief Whip, and Martha Munthali Ngwira, the re-elected legislator for Mzimba Hora, as Deputy Chief Whip.

Wiskes said she received the news with great excitement.

“I would like to thank President Peter Mutharika and the whole party for trusting me. This is a great honour,” she said.

She pledged to ensure that more female legislators are appointed to influential parliamentary committees including the Legal Affairs Committee, Business Committee, and the Public Appointments Committee.

“I will also work hand in hand with party leaders to lobby for the appointment of more women in decision-making positions,” she said.

The appointments have been widely praised by gender equality advocates.

Chairperson of the Non-Governmental Organisation–Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN), Maggie Kathewera Banda, who has long championed the 50:50 campaign for equal representation of men and women in leadership, commended President Peter Mutharika for what she described as a “significant step towards gender equality in political leadership.”

She added that the appointments reflect the President’s commitment to implementing the Gender Equality Act of 2013, which promotes equal representation of men and women in decision-making positions.

“These appointments not only align with Malawi’s gender equality policies but also uphold the country’s commitments under the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which calls for the advancement of women’s rights and participation in leadership,” she added.

Kathewera Banda noted that including women in key parliamentary roles demonstrates growing recognition of women’s capabilities in shaping national policies.

“Such appointments inspire confidence among women and young girls to take up leadership roles in politics and other sectors,” she said, urging Members of Parliament to support the female Chief Whips and “not look down on them.”

Political and governance expert Mavuto Bamusi also hailed the move, saying the appointments align with the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, which calls for at least 50 percent representation of women in decision-making positions.

“Gender inclusiveness at the parliamentary level represents the highest level of political participation that constituents can begin to benefit from,” Bamusi said.

He expressed optimism that the trend will continue and encourage broader gender equality across public institutions.

Bamusi said the inclusion of women in the Chief Whip roles could strengthen advocacy for gender-sensitive legislation and ensure that women’s issues receive priority in parliamentary business.

He noted that since Malawi is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the appointments mark progress in efforts to eliminate gender-based discrimination and promote equality.

Bamusi further observed that the decision represents an important intersection of gender, regional, and generational inclusion.

“Wiskes, from the Central Region, brings a fresh generational and regional perspective to a position historically dominated by older men. Her deputy, Martha Munthali, from Mzimba in the Northern Region, adds to that inclusivity,” he said.

“Previous governments have often been accused of nepotism or regional bias, but these appointments show that people from all regions of Malawi can now be entrusted with leadership roles.”

Out of the 224 legislators elected in the September 16, 2025 General Elections, 48 are women, up from 40 in 2019.

When Patricia Wiskes and her deputy Martha Munthali Ngwira are sworn in at Parliament in Lilongwe later this month, it will not only mark a new chapter in their political journeys but also strengthen Malawi’s broader 50:50 campaign for gender-balanced representation in governance.