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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. 

    Planned Budget (Total) Other resources (non-core)
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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

    The adoption of the amended Penal Code by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and the Judiciary in Malawi has been a huge milestone for Malawi in 2023. Currently the amended Penal Code is being applied in cases country wide. Achievement of this results is in line with SDG Indicator 5.1.1: Existence of Legal Frameworks in place to promote, enforce and monitor equality and non-discrimination based on sex. This has ultimately enabled access to justice for women, girls, boy child, persons with disability and those with mental health issues. The amended Penal Code now provides for (i) enhancing penalties against sex offenders particularly where the victim is a child or a person with a mental disability (ii) extending the law to protect the boy child and male persons with mental disabilities from sexual exploitation; and (iii) the decriminalising of sexual acts between children below eighteen years and whose age difference is two years or less. Before the amendment, the Penal Code was silent on the subject matter and therefore there was no proper guidance on how the law should be applied and judgments made relating to the section that have been amended. Victims were therefore denied justice in one way or another. The Judiciary first successfully applied the amended Penal Code in a strategic litigation case involving the rights of boys engaged in consensual non-exploitative sexual relations with their adolescent peers which stalled due to the lack of clear provisions on defilement of a male minor. UN Women, through the Spotlight Programme supported the review and amendment of the Penal Code and later supported the strategic litigation case. The case has been instrumental in changing the structural barriers by redefining a child as a person under the age of eighteen years and redefining sexual offences against children and persons with mental health issues. The developments have a positive impact on the perceptions and attitudes among lawmakers, practitioners and would be offenders. UN Women was a technical lead in the Spotlight Initiative Programme which advocated for the amendment of 5 prioritised laws and 2 policies that protect women and girls from violence in Malawi.[1] [1] The Penal Code, Gender Equality Act (2013), Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (2006), the Child Care, Protection and Justice Act (2010), the Marriage Divorce and Family Relation Act SRHR Policy and Child Policy

    Results and resources

    Impact: All women and girls in Cameroon will fully enjoy and exercise their human rights, in a gender equal society, and meaningfully contribute to the country's sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development and EU integration

    Impact

    All women and girls in Cameroon will fully enjoy and exercise their human rights, in a gender equal society, and meaningfully contribute to the country's sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development and EU integrations

    Outcomes (aligned with interagency frameworks)
    MWI_D_1.1

    Women participate, lead and engage in decision making processes in political and public institutions

    MWI_D_1.1.1

    Women’s capacity to compete for leadership positions and to lead decision making processes at local and national level strengthened

    MWI_D_1.2

    National and local plans and budgets are gender responsive

    MWI_D_1.2.1

    Strengthened capacity of line ministries and local governments to implement GRB in public finance management systems

    MWI_D_2.1

    Rural women and youths have increased access to secure and productive resources, practices and technologies to engage in Climate Smart Agriculture

    MWI_D_2.1.3

    Gender issues identified and documented to contribute to the reform of statutory and customary land tenure laws, policies and frameworks

    MWI_D_2.1.5

    Capacity for partners (CSOs, Government Staff and Policy Makers) to reduce barriers to woman's access to climate information and CSA technologies and practices and integrate remedial interventions into budget

    MWI_D_2.2

    More gender -balanced digital access and technology adoption for both rural and urban girls and young women in Malawi by 2026.

    MWI_D_2.2.1

    Girls acquire knowledge and skills on coding and digital literacy which will stimulate them to become ICT Professionals.

    MWI_D_2.2.2

    Output 2: Increased access to information on ICT and other services (including GBV, SRHR, employment), and for professional growth.

    MWI_D_2.2.3

    Output 3: Girls who have participated in the Coding Camps engage in opportunities in private sector, tech clubs, tech companies and CSOs working within ICT and Coding sectors

    MWI_D_3.1

    Social norms, attitudes and practices hindering women and girl’s rights are transformed at individual and community levels

    MWI_D_3.1.1

    Women, girls, men and boys at community and individual levels are mobilized in favor of respective relationships and gender equality

    MWI_D_3.1.2

    Capacity of local institutions to prevent negative social norms and other forms of discrimination strengthened

    MWI_D_3.2

    Spotlight Programme Outcome: Normative and policy frameworks are promoted and adapted in line with international standards, and institutions have the commitment, knowledge, and capacities to legislate, plan, implement and monitor policies to address VAWG

    MWI_D_3.2.1

    Legislative and police frameworks are reviewed in line with international human rights standards on all forms of violence against women and girls and harmful practices

    MWI_D_3.2.2

    National and sub-national systems and institutions plan, fund and deliver evidence based programmes that prevent and respond to violence against women and girls and harmful practices

    MWI_D_3.2.3

    Gender equitable social norms, attitudes and behaviour change promoted to prevent violence against women and girls and harmful practices.

    MWI_D_3.2.4

    Quality, disaggregated and globally comparable data on different forms of violence against women and girls and harmful practices collected, analyzed and used in line with international standards to inform laws, policies and programme

    MWI_D_3.2.5

    Women's and girls’ rights groups, autonomous social movements and relevant CSOs, including those representing youth and groups facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination/marginalization, influence and advance progress on GEWE and VAWG, including SGBV/HP, and SRHR

    MWI_D_3.2.6

    Spotlight programme management costs

    MWI_D_4.2

    More women play a greater role in and are better saved by humanitarian response and recovery efforts

    MWI_D_4.2.2

    National and District level Distaster stakeholders have systems and tools for to inform targted humanitarian responses for women and girls

    MWI_D_4.2.3

    Stakeholders Gender in Humanitarian interventions are have adequate capacity for data collection, analysis humanitarian interventions and Disaster Risk reduction

    MWI_D_4.2.4

    Capacity of state and non-state actors at local, national, and regional levels strengthened to sustain peace and security

    MWI_D_4.3

    Ministries of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Local Government, Natural Resources and Climate Change and the Department of Disaster Management Affairs [DoDMA] in Malawi use prevention, preparedness and recovery policy frameworks, systems, processes, and tools, which are gender-responsive and implemented as a result of local women's and girls' advocacy

    MWI_D_4.3.1

    DRR decision makers and practitioners have increased knowledge of the gender dimensions of risk and access to tools and expertise on gender responsive DRR and climate resilience, including on sex, age and disability disaggregated data collection and reporting

    MWI_D_4.3.2

    Women’s organizations have enhanced capacity to advocate, lead and engage in disaster risk reduction and resilience building

    MWI_D_4.3.3

    DRR and gender equality institutions and stakeholders have improved capacity to ensure gender-responsive disaster risk reduction laws, regulations, strategies, policies, plans, programmes, and budgets

    MWI_D_4.4

    Women and girls are prepared to withstand multiple hazards, recover from disasters, and increase their resilience to future disasters and threats.

    MWI_D_4.4.1

    Government, local DRR stakeholders and women’s organisations are enabled to develop inclusive and gender-responsive preparedness and early warning systems

    MWI_D_4.4.2

    Partnerships established between WRD and new/existing livelihood and resilience programmes; and partnerships brokered between women’s organisations/agencies with livelihood and business actors and experts

    MWI_D_4.4.3

    Women engaged in formal and informal business have increased capacity on climate and disaster resilient businesses .

    MWI_D_4.4.4

    Targeted and innovative climate and disaster resilient livelihood opportunities are made accessible for women in selected communities covered by WRD

    MWI_D_6.1

    Enhanced implementation of national, regional and international normative and policy frameworks

    MWI_D_6.1.2

    Institutions and stakeholders in the Gender Machinery at national and sub-national levels are effective and accountable in implementing Gender Equality national, regional and international normative and policy frameworks

    Organizational effectiveness and efficiency
    MWI_O_1

    OEE Output 2.5

    MWI_O_2

    OEE Output 4

    MWI_O_3

    Output OEE 1

    MWI_O_4

    CSD resources are managed in a result oriented and accountable manner

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    Budget
    Expenses
    Outcome Result statement IATI identifier
    OutcomeMWI_D_1.1
    Outcome result statementAssuring an accountable organization through principled performance
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-MWI_D_1.1
    OutcomeMWI_D_1.2
    Outcome result statementAdvancing partnerships & resourcing; Effectively influencing for impact & scale
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-MWI_D_1.2
    OutcomeMWI_D_2.1
    Outcome result statementAdvancing business transformation
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-MWI_D_2.1
    OutcomeMWI_D_2.2
    Outcome result statementNurturing an empowered workforce and advancing an inclusive UN-Women culture
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-MWI_D_2.2
    OutcomeMWI_D_3.1
    Outcome result statementEffective normative, programmatic and coordination products, services and processes
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-MWI_D_3.1
    OutcomeMWI_D_3.2
    Outcome result statementUN-Women is an accountable and trustworthy development organization that manages its financial and other resources with integrity and in line with its programmatic ambitions and fiducia
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-MWI_D_3.2
    OutcomeMWI_D_4.2
    Outcome result statementUN-Women effectively leverages and expands its partnerships, communications and advocacy capabilities to increase support for and financing of the gender equality agenda, while securing sustainable resourcing for the delivery of its own mandate.
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-MWI_D_4.2
    OutcomeMWI_D_4.3
    Outcome result statementUN-Women strategically plans for and transforms its business model to deliver impact at scale, through agile and ethical leadership rooted in a continuous improvement culture
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-MWI_D_4.3
    OutcomeMWI_D_4.4
    Outcome result statementWith its unique and inclusive culture, UN Women is an employer of choice with a diverse and highly performing cadre of personnel that embodies UN values
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-MWI_D_4.4
    OutcomeMWI_D_6.1
    Outcome result statementUN-Women efficiently and effectively discharges of all business processes that advance integrated delivery of its normative, operational and coordination mandate at HQ, Regional and Country level, including through shared services
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-MWI_D_6.1
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    Budget
    Expenses
    Outcome Result statement IATI identifier
    OutcomeMWI_O_1
    Outcome result statementOEE Output 2.5
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-MWI_O_1
    OutcomeMWI_O_2
    Outcome result statementOEE Output 4
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-MWI_O_2
    OutcomeMWI_O_3
    Outcome result statementOutput OEE 1
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-MWI_O_3
    OutcomeMWI_O_4
    Outcome result statementCSD resources are managed in a result oriented and accountable manner
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-MWI_O_4
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    Resources allocated towards SDGs

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    Our funding partners contributions

    Regular resources (core)

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    $120.00 K in total
    Other resources (non-core)
    $5.82 M in total
    Regular resources (core)

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    $120.00 K in total
    2023 2022
    United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) $60,000
    2023
    United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
    Total contribution:$60,000
    Development:$0(0%)
    Humanitarian:$60,000(100%)
    $60,000
    2022
    United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
    Total contribution:$60,000
    Development:$0(0%)
    Humanitarian:$60,000(100%)
    2023
    United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)$60,000
    Total contribution$60,000
    Development$0(0%)
    Humanitarian$60,000(100%)
    2022
    United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)$60,000
    Total contribution$60,000
    Development$0(0%)
    Humanitarian$60,000(100%)
    Other resources (non-core)

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    $5.82 M in total
    2023 2022
    European Commission (Spotlight) $2,399,698
    2023
    European Commission (Spotlight)OECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$2,399,698
    Development:$1,995,577(83.159506251035%)
    Humanitarian:$404,121(16.840493748965%)
    $2,399,698
    2022
    European Commission (Spotlight)OECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$2,399,698
    Development:$1,995,577(83.159506251035%)
    Humanitarian:$404,121(16.840493748965%)
    Iceland $1,680
    2023
    IcelandOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$1,680
    Development:$1,680(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $1,680
    2022
    IcelandOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$1,680
    Development:$1,680(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) $143,507
    2023
    Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS)United Nations organization
    Total contribution:$143,507
    Development:$143,507(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $143,507
    2022
    Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS)United Nations organization
    Total contribution:$143,507
    Development:$143,507(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    Malawi $233,367
    2023
    MalawiGovernment
    Total contribution:$233,367
    Development:$233,367(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $233,367
    2022
    MalawiGovernment
    Total contribution:$233,367
    Development:$233,367(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    Norway $1,375
    2023
    NorwayOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$1,375
    Development:$1,375(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $1,375
    2022
    NorwayOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$1,375
    Development:$1,375(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    United Nations COVID-19 Multi-Partner Trust Office Reponse $44,323
    2023
    United Nations COVID-19 Multi-Partner Trust Office ReponseUnited Nations pooled fund
    Total contribution:$44,323
    Development:$24,323(54.877189245971%)
    Humanitarian:$20,000(45.122810754029%)
    $44,323
    2022
    United Nations COVID-19 Multi-Partner Trust Office ReponseUnited Nations pooled fund
    Total contribution:$44,323
    Development:$24,323(54.877189245971%)
    Humanitarian:$20,000(45.122810754029%)
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) $1,930
    2023
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)United Nations organization
    Total contribution:$1,930
    Development:$1,930(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $1,930
    2022
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)United Nations organization
    Total contribution:$1,930
    Development:$1,930(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office $85,680
    2023
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund OfficeUnited Nations pooled fund
    Total contribution:$85,680
    Development:$87(0.10155173051688%)
    Humanitarian:$85,593(99.898448269483%)
    $85,680
    2022
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund OfficeUnited Nations pooled fund
    Total contribution:$85,680
    Development:$87(0.10155173051688%)
    Humanitarian:$85,593(99.898448269483%)
    2023
    European Commission (Spotlight)$2,399,698
    Total contribution$2,399,698
    Development$1,995,577(83.159506251035%)
    Humanitarian$404,121(16.840493748965%)
    Iceland$1,680
    Total contribution$1,680
    Development$1,680(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS)$143,507
    Total contribution$143,507
    Development$143,507(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Malawi$233,367
    Total contribution$233,367
    Development$233,367(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Norway$1,375
    Total contribution$1,375
    Development$1,375(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations COVID-19 Multi-Partner Trust Office Reponse$44,323
    Total contribution$44,323
    Development$24,323(54.877189245971%)
    Humanitarian$20,000(45.122810754029%)
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)$1,930
    Total contribution$1,930
    Development$1,930(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office$85,680
    Total contribution$85,680
    Development$87(0.10155173051688%)
    Humanitarian$85,593(99.898448269483%)
    2022
    European Commission (Spotlight)$2,399,698
    Total contribution$2,399,698
    Development$1,995,577(83.159506251035%)
    Humanitarian$404,121(16.840493748965%)
    Iceland$1,680
    Total contribution$1,680
    Development$1,680(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS)$143,507
    Total contribution$143,507
    Development$143,507(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Malawi$233,367
    Total contribution$233,367
    Development$233,367(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Norway$1,375
    Total contribution$1,375
    Development$1,375(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations COVID-19 Multi-Partner Trust Office Reponse$44,323
    Total contribution$44,323
    Development$24,323(54.877189245971%)
    Humanitarian$20,000(45.122810754029%)
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)$1,930
    Total contribution$1,930
    Development$1,930(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office$85,680
    Total contribution$85,680
    Development$87(0.10155173051688%)
    Humanitarian$85,593(99.898448269483%)
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    Strategic plan contributions

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