Khadija Leah Chunga (born c.1991) is a Malawian independent politician who was elected to the National Assembly to represent Lilongwe City Kamphuno in 2025.
Khadija Chunga | |
|---|---|
| Born | c.1991 |
| Known for | MP for Lilongwe City Kamphuno |
Political party | independent |
Life
editChunga was born about 1991. She said that she learned about political issues while listening to people talking at her mother's hair salon.[1]
In 2023 Chunga was the national secretary for the Muslim women National Dawah when they organised a national gathering of Muslims in Lilongwe. The message of addressing climate change was backed by the first lady Monica Chakwera.[2]
In 2025 she stood as an independent candidate in the national elections and she enjoyed the support of NGO's including Oxfam.[1] She was successful and she was elected to represent the Lilongwe Kamphuno Constituency on 16 September[3][4][5]
Following the election her victory was declared by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) despite the protests of Clement Mwale who was a losing candidate. His case resulted in the case of Mwale v Chunga & MEC. He alleged that Chunga committed a number of offences including bribing voters and campaigning after she should have stopped on 15 September. The judge, Fiona Atupele Mwale rejected Mwale's petition.[3]
In May 2026, Chunga's constituency was chosen to host the women's caucus's from Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The event was funded by Oxfam.[6] Esther Jolobala called on her country's electors to create more women MPs noting that Patricia Kaliati was now serving her fifth term.[5]
Private life
editChunga is married and they are parents. She said that her husband did not initially support her ambitions.[7]
References
edit- 1 2 "A turning point for women's political leadership in Malawi | Oxfam Ireland". www.oxfamireland.org. 2025-11-25. Retrieved 2026-04-16.
- ↑ "First Lady Encourages Muslim women to be pioneers in climate change awareness – Radio Islam Malawi". Retrieved 2026-04-16.
- 1 2 Mwale, Fiona Atupele (3 December 2025). "Mwale v Chunga & MEC. ELECTION PETITION NO. 85 OF 2025". High Court of Malawi.
- ↑ Malawi, Parliament of. "Parliament of Malawi". www.parliament.gov.mw. Retrieved 2026-04-16.
- 1 2 "Jolobala Urges Malawians to Elect More Women Leaders". www.parliament.gov.mw. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
- ↑ "A turning point for women's political leadership in Malawi | Oxfam Ireland". www.oxfamireland.org. 2025-11-25. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
- ↑ "Young Women's Empowerment Portal | International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics". iknowpolitics.org. 2026-02-26. Retrieved 2026-04-16.