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    Summary of country programme

    Malawi has made headways in achieving SDG5 on gender equality, by adopting a nondiscrimination clause in its constitution and undertaking legal reform and policy initiatives. The Government of Malawi has enacted several gender related laws to deal with the challenges faced by women and girls, including the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act. Malawi is one of the few countries in the world which has amended its constitution to harmonise the child age and marriage age at 18 years of age. Women’s access to political power has been rising steadily over the years, with representation of female Members of Parliament at 23%. Malawi was also the first country in SADC and second in Africa to have a female president. Currently, an increasing number of women have taken up leadership and decision-making positions including the first female Speaker of Parliament and the Director of Anti-Corruption Bureau. Yet, there is need to build on and sustain recent gains in gender equality by robustly addressing multifaceted barriers that continue to drive gender gaps. 

    UN Women Malawi Office, based in Lilongwe, works with partners, including the Malawi Government, civil society organisations, the private sector, influencers, media, and other UN agencies in promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls in Malawi. 

    Through our programmes, thought leadership for GEWE and advocacy, we are working to achieve the following strategic results: 

    • Women and girls live free from all forms of violence including early marriage. 

    • Women have income security, better access to decent work, control over resources and economic autonomy, and young women most in need are reached.  

    • Women lead, participate in and benefit equally from governance systems. 

    • Women and girls benefit equally from the prevention of natural disasters and conflicts and humanitarian action and influence building peace and security. 

    To promote women and girls voice and agency, Malawi is also co-leading the Generation Equality Feminist Movements and Leadership Action Coalition. As a co-leader, Malawi has renewed its commitment to promote feminist movements building and women’s leadership at all levels. 

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    UN Women in action: Strategic insights and achievements

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    Advancing SDGs: UN Women's impact and key achievements
    In the reporting year, UN Women achieved a transformative outcome in Malawi by supporting the government in advancing gender equality and empowerment of women within the national policy framework on Humanitarian Disaster Risk Reduction (HDRR), directly contributing to Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender Equality) and 13 (Climate Action). The National Gender Action Plan for the Sendai Framework, the National Gender Policy and the 2024/2025 National Multi-Hazard Contingency Plan were developed and endorsed by the National Technical Working Group comprising of principal secretaries, directors and deputies from different sectors. A model on gender responsive District Development Plan (DDP) and District Disaster Risk Management Plan were also developed and adopted by one of the local authorities called Zomba District Council. For the first time in Malawi, The Gender Action Plan to support implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (Sendai GAP) was developed in a gender responsive manner and it will reduce the negative impacts of gender inequality and discrimination for more than half a million women and girls left homeless due to flooding every year. The national gender policy is assisting the Malawi Government Department and stakeholders to mainstream gender in the national development process which ultimately enhances participation of women and men, girls, and boys for sustainable development. The 2024/2025 National Multi-Hazard Contingency Plan (MHCP) was developed ensuring that the needs and priorities of women and girls are incorporated in the work of all sector-specific humanitarian clusters in the country, and throughout the entire DRM cycle. The updated MHCP is fundamental for better preparedness at all levels, anticipating potential hazards, response readiness with provision for emergency assistance, therefore, minimizes the impact, saves lives. Adoption of these policy documents reflects high level commitment and obligation to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in humanitarian action on the part of Malawi Government, Civil Society organizations and community at large.
    The result makes a direct contribution to SDG 5 and aligns with the Malawi UNDSCF number four. By integrating gender equality into HDRR policies, Malawi would be better able to address the gender aspects of its preparedness, response, resilience to disasters, putting the needs and experiences of women at the heart of its efforts in a more effective manner.The achievement was driven by a high level of collaboration: Government of Malawi - led the development and adoption of policies. UN Women Malawi Country Office - provided technical and financial support ensuring gender was central to the frameworks and local Authorities: Zomba District Council piloted the gender-responsive planning model, setting a precedent for other regions. Civil Society Organizations: Played a vital role in advocacy and community mobilization.

    Results and resources

    Outcomes (aligned with interagency frameworks)
    MWI_D_1.1

    By 2028, people in Malawi, especially women, youth, and those most left behind, experience more inclusive good governance, peace, and robust political and civic participation

    MWI_D_1.1.1

    Women and young women have increased capacity to participate in leadership roles and in decision-making processes at national and local levels on governance and peace and security

    MWI_D_1.1.2

    Relevant ministries, local councils and Civil Society Organizations have capacity to apply on gender responsive budgeting.

    MWI_D_1.1.3

    National Statistical Office's technical capacity is strengthened to improve the production and use of gender statistics.

    MWI_D_1.1.4

    Gender responsive disaster prevention, response, preparedness and recovery systems and tools are in place and aligned to international standard

    MWI_D_2.1

    By 2028, more people, especially the most vulnerable groups, including women, youths, and people with disability, participate in and benefit from food and nutrition security and a more diversified, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth resilient to shocks.

    MWI_D_2.1.1

    Increased access to skills development, productive resources and financial services for women in the agriculture, renewable energy and Information Communication and Technology sectors

    MWI_D_2.1.2

    Women, men, boys and girls are more aware of the unequal burden of unpaid care work and the impact on redistribution of care work in the home.

    MWI_D_2.1.4

    Private sector and national and local governing authorities have increased capacity to design and implement legislation and policies that promote women’s economic empowerment.

    MWI_D_2.1.5

    Women and girls have increased access to comprehensive, gender responsive humanitarian protection and livelihood support enabling them to withstand multiple hazards, recover from disasters, and increase their resilience to current and future climatic risks.

    MWI_D_3.1

    By 2028, more people, in particular women, children, and youth, especially the most vulnerable and marginalized, are resilient with access to and utilization of quality, equitable, efficient, gender and shock-responsive education, health, nutrition, WASH, social and protection services.

    MWI_D_3.1.1

    Local institutions (Traditional leaders, community structures, women groups, religious leaders) have increased capacity to prevent and respond to Violence Against Women and Girls, negative social norms and other forms of discrimination.

    MWI_D_3.1.2

    National and local governing institutions have increased capacity to implement policies and strategies on ending violence against women and girls and harmful traditional practices.

    MWI_D_3.1.3

    Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, including sexual exploitation and abuse, women with disabilities and living with HIV have improved access to quality, essential and comprehensive services.

    MWI_D_4.1

    The Gender Equality and Women Empowerment coordination system in Malawi coherently and systematically contributes to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of Women and girls

    MWI_D_4.1.1

    Enhanced gender mainstreaming in the implementation of the United Nation Sustainable Development Cooperation framework.

    MWI_D_4.1.2

    Strengthened collaboration and coordination among gender stakeholders (UN, Government, Development partners, Women’s Movement) to advance Gender Equality and Women Empowerment priority issues including implementation of National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 in Malawi.

    Organizational effectiveness and efficiency
    MWI_O_1

    Assuring an accountable organization through principled performance.

    MWI_O_2

    Advancing partnerships & resourcing; effectively influencing for impact & scale ADD Resource mobilization.

    MWI_O_3

    Advancing business transformation.

    MWI_O_4

    Nurturing an empowered workforce and advancing an inclusive UN Women culture

    MWI_O_5

    Effective normative, programmatic and coordination products, services and processes

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    Outcome Result statement IATI identifier
    OutcomeMWI_D_1.1
    Outcome result statementBy 2028, people in Malawi, especially women, youth, and those most left behind, experience more inclusive good governance, peace, and robust political and civic participation
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-MWI_D_1.1
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    OutcomeMWI_D_2.1
    Outcome result statementThrough this outcome, the UN aims to support economic growth (SDG 8 and 9) that benefits all (SDG 10), reduces poverty (SDG 1) and translates into more food security (SDG 2). It will enable resilience to shocks (SDG 11) and the transition to a greener economy (SDG 12 and 13) while requiring significant human capital development (SDG 4) and increased availability of financing for the SDGs (SDG 17).
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-MWI_D_2.1
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    OutcomeMWI_D_3.1
    Outcome result statementThis outcome will address violence against women and girls in Malawi which persists sue to entrenched patriarchal social norms and traditional negative practices. And the limited remains limited in scale and scope of the impact of normative frameworks implementation. In this SN UN Women will maximize popularization and monitoring of implementation of legislative frameworks, strengthening capacities of relevant national, district and local level institutions and women and girls besides facilitating access to quality services to vulnerable women and girls especially GBV survivors. It is assumed that the CO staff and relevant government and CSO stakeholders will have capacity and that legislative frameworks and operational documents are in place such as Chief’s Act, Male Engagement Strategy and women’s movements are vibrant besides availability of comprehensive accessible services.
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-MWI_D_3.1
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    OutcomeMWI_D_4.1
    Outcome result statementThe GEWE coordination system in Malawi coherently and systematically contributes to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of Women and girls
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-MWI_D_4.1
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    Outcome Result statement IATI identifier
    OutcomeMWI_O_1
    Outcome result statementAssuring an accountable organization through principled performance.
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-MWI_O_1
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    OutcomeMWI_O_2
    Outcome result statementAdvancing partnerships & resourcing; effectively influencing for impact & scale ADD Resource mobilization.
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-MWI_O_2
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    OutcomeMWI_O_3
    Outcome result statementAdvancing business transformation.
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-MWI_O_3
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    OutcomeMWI_O_4
    Outcome result statementNurturing an empowered workforce and advancing an inclusive UN Women culture
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-MWI_O_4
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    OutcomeMWI_O_5
    Outcome result statementEffective normative, programmatic and coordination products, services and processes
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-MWI_O_5
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    Strategic plan contributions

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