Emmanuel International Canada

Published purpose

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.