K46bn programme to empower women
Malawi has embarked on a new three-year social protection programme worth $26.5 million (about K46 billion) to support vulnerable households in nine districts to get out of extreme poverty.
The launch in Mayaka, Zomba District comes at a time El Nino weather in some parts of the country threatens continued need to financially support vulnerable households, most of whom have already been benefiting from similar interventions because of environmental shocks.
Speaking during the launch of the European Union (EU) funded initiative, Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Jean Sendeza expects the programme which ends in 2026.
She said: “This protection programme is designed to reduce poverty, inequality and social exclusion of women and girls, and strengthen their resilience and livelihoods.
“The Government of Malawi wants to protect and empower women to meaningfully participate in economic activities and improve their incomes so they can adequately support their families.”
EU is contributing $23.6 million (about $41billion), Ireland $2.9 million (about K5 billion) while Unicef will implement the programme according to a statement from the government.
Unicef representative Shadrack Omol said the programme will promote inclusive social protection which is essential to safeguarding the rights of children.
On the other hand, EU Ambassador Rune Skinnebach said the new programme offers an opportunity to break the intergenerational poverty cycle in the targeted families, adding the EU values gender equality and empowerment of women so that they can effectively participate in society.
“By addressing the multifaceted barriers to empowerment, we aspire to create an enabling environment where women and girls can thrive and contribute meaningfully to their communities,” he said.
Irish Ambassador Séamus O’Grady said stronger and inclusive social protection systems have shown to be efficient in reducing extreme poverty.
Termed Social Protection for Gender Empowerment and Resilience or Amai Titukuke, it supports implementation of the Malawi National Social Protection Strategy, the Social Cash Transfer Programme and targeted socio-economic empowerment activities.
The districts to benefit are Mzimba, Ntcheu, Balaka, Chikwawa, Mulanje, Mwanza, Neno, Nsanje and Zomba.
At least 500 000 people have been targeted between 2024 and 2026.
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