Malawi

We Effect has been working in Malawi since 2003, improving the livelihoods of people living in poverty, particularly rural communities and women, while promoting sustainable development, gender equality, and social justice.

Through a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA), We Effect works with cooperatives, farmer organisations, women’s rights organisations, and other member-based civil society organisations to strengthen livelihoods, food security, climate resilience, and inclusive development.

We Effect in Malawi

We Effect applies a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) that empowers individuals and communities to claim their rights and actively participate in decisions that affect their lives.

Our interventions focus on strengthening the capacity and sustainability of partner organisations through institutional development, organisational capacity building, and resource mobilisation.

By supporting cooperatives, farmer organisations, and other member-based civil society organisations, We Effect enables its partners to deliver effective, member-driven services, promote inclusive participation, and advocate for the rights and interests of their members.

Our work in Malawi focuses on five strategic priorities:

• Women’s economic empowerment and leadership
• Climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable food systems
• Inclusive value chains and financial services
• Land rights and access to justice
• Strengthening cooperatives and member-based civil society organisations

Through these priorities, We Effect contributes to improved livelihoods, stronger local organisations, resilient communities, gender equality, and sustainable development.

Across all programmes, We Effect promotes gender equality, climate justice, and human rights while strengthening the collective voice and agency of communities living in poverty.

Working through local partner organisations, We Effect supports cooperatives, smallholder farmer organisations, and other member-based organisations to improve food security, strengthen climate resilience, and promote sustainable livelihoods.

Development Context

Despite important development gains, Malawi continues to face significant socio-economic, environmental, and gender-related challenges that disproportionately affect rural communities, women, and young people.

Poverty and Inequality

Malawi remains one of the poorest countries globally, with a poverty rate of around 75.4% as of 2025. Poverty and vulnerability continue to be exacerbated by persistent macroeconomic challenges, high inflation, and recurring climate-related shocks.

Agriculture employs more than 80% of the population, making the economy highly vulnerable to climate change and other external shocks.

According to the 2025 National Census of Agriculture (NACA), women account for 52.6% of the agricultural household population, while men represent 47.4%. Young people aged 15–24 years constitute the largest share of the agricultural population at 23.8%.

Food Security and Nutrition

Food insecurity remains a persistent challenge, with recurring droughts and floods affecting agricultural production and household resilience.

According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, approximately 2.9 million people were classified in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse between May and September 2025.

The IPC also reports increasing levels of acute malnutrition, with several districts recording more than a 30% increase in Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) admissions compared to the same period in 2024.

Malnutrition remains a major public health concern.

• 37.8% of children under five are stunted.
• 1.8% suffer from wasting.
• Micronutrient deficiencies remain widespread.

Climate Change and Gender Equality

Malawi is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, ranking 5th on the 2022 Global Climate Risk Index.

Frequent droughts and floods continue to affect agricultural production, food security, infrastructure, and livelihoods.

Gender inequality also remains a significant development challenge. According to the Gender Inequality Index, Malawi ranks 173rd out of 188 countries, reflecting persistent inequalities in access to productive resources, education, economic opportunities, and decision-making.

Impact at a Glance

Results in Malawi

Working through local partners, cooperatives, and member-based organisations, We Effect has delivered measurable results that strengthen livelihoods, resilience, gender equality, and economic opportunities.

Key achievements include:

• 173,650 rights holders supported: A total of 173,650 rights holders were reached through programme interventions, including;
• 67,145 adult women
• 39,809 adult men
• 33,514 young women
• 14,329 young men
• 10,348 children (6,537 girls and 3,811 boys)
• 8,515 children under five

These interventions contributed to improved livelihoods, increased resilience, enhanced access to services, and greater social and economic inclusion.

• 8,750 women farmers strengthened: Women farmers gained skills in entrepreneurship, income-generating activities, collective marketing, and contract negotiation.
• 101 women secured land rights: Approximately 101 single mothers, widows, and divorced women gained access to land, strengthening their economic empowerment and participation in agricultural production.
• 5,386 hectares under climate-resilient management: A total of 5,386 hectares of cotton farmland were brought under improved climate-resilient management, representing a 52% increase from the baseline of 3,546 hectares.

In addition:

• 5% of women cotton farmers diversified their livelihoods.
• 3,532 women now use climate information to improve farming decisions and reduce household risk.
• 34 cooperatives strengthened: A total of 34 cooperatives improved their capacity to bulk commodities, negotiate better prices, and engage competitively with private sector buyers.
• 1,914 Village Savings and Loan Associations strengthened: More than 1,914 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) comprising 37,471 rights holders (89% women and 11% men) were strengthened.

Of these:

• 961 VSLAs were linked to Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs), increasing access to formal financial services.
• 1,282 young women cotton farmers now participate in VSLAs and business services, representing a 159% increase in youth financial inclusion.

These interventions strengthened financial resilience, increased savings, and enhanced women’s leadership and decision-making within communities.

• Women’s leadership and access to justice strengthened: Through engagement with 155 traditional leaders, 120 women were appointed to village tribunals, increasing women’s participation in local governance, improving access to justice through mobile courts, and promoting more inclusive decision-making and protection of women’s rights.