Lonnie Phiri

Last updated
Lonnie Phiri
Nationality Malawian
Occupationpolitician
Political party Democratic Progressive Party

Lonnie Chijere Phiri is a Democratic Progressive Party Member of Parliament representing a constituency in Zomda in southern Malawi. She was the chair of Malawi's Parliamentary Women Caucus.

Life

She was a member of the Malawi's Parliamentary Women Caucus and in 2019 she and Liana Chapota came to Scotland for a week to meet Scottish parliamentarians. [1] She chaired a fringe meeting at the 2019 Scottish National Party's annual conference in October. [2]

In 2021, she was the elected chair of the Malawi Parliamentary Women's Caucus, whose members are the women MPs who make up a minority of the male-dominated National Assembly. The caucus were concerned that low ambitions and child marriage was endemic in girls in Malawi's primary schools. Caucus members, including Phiri, went to visit schools to encourage the girls to work hard and be ambitious. Phiri wore a school uniform to make the point, that she started in a primary school. [3]

In 2022 she announced that she had funded the installation of solar powered lighting in the 40 mosques in her constituency. The lighting can be used for prayers in the early morning or in the later evening. [4]

In August 2024, her party (the Democratic Progressive Party) was in opposition and, she was nominated to become a Parliamentary Service Commissioner. But her nomination was rejected. [5] After that Mary Mpanga was proposed. She was another opposition MP and she was unanimously appointed to be a Parliamentary Service Commissioner. [6] This appointment made the commission to be 50% women. [6]

In the same month (August 2024), Phiri announced that had used the constituency development fund to build a new school. It is called Kachere Junior Primary School and it will teach years 1 to 4. Phiri expected it to be successful as many local children had stopped attending school because the nearest ones were so far away. [7]

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References

  1. ↑ Reporter, Nyasa Times (2019-10-16). "Scotland hosts Malawi women parliamentarians - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi". www.nyasatimes.com. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
  2. ↑ "From baby steps to giant leaps" (PDF). SNP Conference programme.
  3. ↑ Reporter, Nyasa Times (2021-07-22). "Parliamentary Women Caucus inspires primary school learners in rural areas - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi". www.nyasatimes.com. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
  4. ↑ Likaka, Raphael (2022-07-24). "Zomba Chingale MP installs solar power on 40 mosques Malawi 24 | Latest News from Malawi". Malawi 24. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
  5. ↑ Nzangaya, Archangel (2024-08-26). "Chijere Phiri's rejection from parliament committee sparks disappointment in DPP Malawi 24 | Latest News from Malawi". Malawi 24. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
  6. 1 2 "Parliament confirms Mary Mpanga as commissioner". The Times Group. 2024-09-05. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  7. ↑ Likaka, Raphael (2024-08-07). "Chingale MP builds Junior Primary School Malawi 24 | Latest News from Malawi". Malawi 24. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
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