Gender equality, social inclusion and resilience in Malawi

This paper presents a synthesis of existing evidence on gender equality, social inclusion and resilience in Malawi, including persisting issues, trends and changes; knowledge and evidence gaps; and policy implementation and capacity gaps. It aims to identify key themes and lessons, as well as potential areas for further research, policy and programming, recognising the need to build intersectional approaches to build resilience to a range of shocks and stresses. The paper aims to inform a wide audience of policy-makers, development practitioners, civil society organisations, think tanks and researchers. 

This paper has identified a number of knowledge and evidence gaps, as well as policy implementation and capacity gaps for promoting GESI in the context of resilience policy and programming in Malawi. The following is a summary of recommendations, particularly for policy makers, development practitioners and researchers to advance GESI in resilience policy and programming in Malawi:

1. Address harmful socio-cultural practices and discriminatory social norms.
2. Promote equal access of systems and services central to a person’s wellbeing.
3. Enhance the collection, use and sharing of disaggregated data.
4. Take into account intra-household dynamics.
5. Identify the enablers and constraints to women’s economic empowerment in Malawi and entry points for positive change.
6. Promote the meaningful participation of women and disadvantaged groups in decisionmaking, community planning and leadership roles.
7. Support the meaningful inclusion of people with disabilities and older people in the design and delivery of resilience policies and programming.
8. . Mainstream GESI and intersectional approaches across sectors and scales to help reduce vulnerability and build resilience cross-sectorally.