Go to main content

Malawi

HI supports a national partner or provides technical assistance to NGOs or public organisations.

Smiling young woman wearing dark glasses posing in a garden.

Actions in process

HI is assisting the Making It Work (MIW) "Gender and Disability" project that fights violence against women and girls with disabilities in Africa. MIW promotes their empowerment by supporting grassroots organizations and by conducting evidence-based advocacy at all levels.

See the Making It Work website

 

Situation of the country

Malawi is faced with complex economic, social and humanitarian challenges. Despite its relative political stability, it remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with a low GDP per capita and a high dependence on agriculture, – a sector vulnerable to climate hazards.

People with disabilities in Malawi face many barriers, largely due to negative social perceptions and a lack of strong inclusive policies. Access to education is a major problem, as are the extremely limited employment opportunities. 
As well as being subject to widespread domestic violence, women have limited access to education and health care and have few economic resources, all factors that hinder their empowerment. 

Making It Work is a project developed by HI that combines gender and disability issues. It aims to eliminate discrimination and violence against women and girls with disabilities by defending their rights. HI has been implementing the Making It Work project in Malawi since 2018, working alongside two partner organisations, Disabled Women in Africa (DIWA) and Visual Hearing Impairment Membership Association (VIHEMA).

 
 
© P. Meinhardt / HI