POWER IN MALAWIAN POLITICAL PARTIES

THE POLITICS OF WOMEN’S EXCLUSION

Abstract

This article employs Steven Lukes’ Three Dimensions of Power to analyse how power disparities between men and women shape the institutionalisation of engendered exclusionary mechanisms in Malawian political parties. The article derives from a qualitative study that was conducted in Mangochi and Phalombe districts of Southern Malawi during the 2014 General Elections. The key argument is that Malawian political parties behave like a political market where there is a strong positive correlation between one’s possession of power and their level of political participation. The article identifies exploitation, opportunity hoarding, emulation and adaptation as key mechanisms perpetuating women’s exclusion from meaningful political participation.