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:
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Women and girls live free from all forms of violence including early marriage.
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Women have income security, better access to decent work, control over resources and economic autonomy, and young women most in need are reached.
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Women lead, participate in and benefit equally from governance systems.
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.