Malawi Grantee Profiles 2010

Organization: ECC (Ecumenical Counselling Centre)

Project Title: “Advocacy for implementation guidelines of HIVAIDS policy on issues concerning Adolescent Girls”

AGALI Fellow Elita Chayala is working with the ECC in Malawi to advocate for a National HIV and AIDS policy that specifically address issues facing adolescent girls through the provision of policy implementation guidelines. The ECC is targeting the Malawi National AIDS Commission (NAC) to convince them to review the current policy guidelines in consultation with key civil society partners and the input of adolescent girl leaders. Elita and the ECC are also supporting the development and implementation of a revised policy that takes into account the unique needs of adolescent girls affected by HIV/AIDS, and addresses the risk factors that accompany the feminization of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Malawi.

Organization: Development Broadcasting Unit (DBU) of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation

Project Title: “Mwana Wa Mzako” (a Chichewa expression meaning “Another person’s child is also yours”)

The “Mwana Wa Mzako” project, developed by AGALI Fellow Hamilton Chimala, leverages the community outreach capabilities of DBU to advocate to increase the minimum legal age of marriage from 15 to 18 years in Malawi. DBU is working to build momentum around passage of the Marriage Act, which has become stalled in Malawi’s Parliament.  Through strategies including community-based radio and television programming, and panel discussions involving key government and civil society decision-makers, DBU is helping communities throughout Malawi make their voices heard on an issue critical to the well-being of girls and young women.

Organization: Creative Centre for Community Mobilisation (CRECCOM)

Project Title: “Promoting Adolescent Girls’ Education” (PRAGE)

AGALI Fellow Thomas Kanjodo is working to ensure that teen mothers in Malawi have the opportunity to finish their education. CRECCOM is lobbying the Ministry of Education in the Southeastern region of the country to review the re-admission policy that addresses teen mothers. Currently, many girls who drop out of school because of pregnancy are hampered by excessive regulation and financial hurdles in their attempt to return to school.  The PRAGE project uses targeted lobbying with government decision-makers, workshops with traditional authorities and community members, and capacity building of girls to push for development of clear guidelines that support the education of young mothers.