Titukule Azimai (Empower Women)

This project aims to enhance gender equality and economic empowerment for women and girl survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the Machinga Mulanje and Phalombe districts of Malawi. Project activities include: (1) training village women agents in marketing finance management and livelihood and business development using the Situation Task Action and Result (STAR) approach a discussion (reflection) circle that allows for issues that affect the community to be discussed and promotes a safe environment for dialogue to identify and address SGBV and Village Savings and Loans (VSL) methodology; (2) establishing marketing groups for survivors and linking their VSLs to markets in each district; (3) increasing awareness of human rights and social norms that perpetuate SGBV by sensitizing traditional leaders religious leaders legislators and communities through men and women SGBV champions awareness campaigns and message dissemination; (4) developing and establishing standard operating procedures for SGBV prevention and response including referral pathways and reporting mechanisms; and (5) training women and girls to develop tailored community messages on SGBV that alter unfavourable norms and perceptions. The project is implemented with local CSO partners such as EI Malawi (the primary implementing partner) and The Center for alternatives for victimized women and children to implement critical training monitoring and evaluation activities in Phalombe and Mulanje Districts.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved equitable control over the resources needed to secure economic and social equality by survivors of SGBV; (2) improved delivery of efficient and functional community support systems for survivors of SGBV; and (3) enhanced and systematic engagement of women survivors in public leadership and decision-making processes in women-led organizations and local government engagement.