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Malawi

Articles by Malawi

Mali_GGR_She Decides 2020_84448_IPPF_Xaume Olleros_Mali_IPPF_Xaume Olleros
11 July 2021

World Population Day 2021: Increasing Effective Strategies for SRHR Information and Services (Focus on Malawi)

Sunday, 11 July 2021. As we commemorate the World Population Day with a projected 7.9 billion people on the planet today, our thoughts also turn to what were the reproductive needs and wants of women and girls in Africa during this extraordinary year and whether were they fulfilled. The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating effects on the provision of health care services, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, often more so in countries in Africa that are already struggling to keep up with normal preventative and curative services, let alone COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality. While fertility rates across the globe are shifting in both directions, and with Africa accounting for the top 23 highest total fertility rates (TFR)[1] in the world, the IPPF Women’s Integrated Sexual Health project (WISH2) provides SRH care to women, men and young people in 15 countries across the world - 12 of them being in Africa, including in fragile and conflict affected countries. The WISH2 program offers quality integrated and inclusive family planning and SRH services to marginalized and hard to reach populations: the poor, youth under 20 years and people living with disability. Within this framework, the WISH2 project recognized that many of these countries’ health services have been devastatingly affected by waves of the pandemic and adapted SRH services to ensure, wherever possible, continued access to SRH care to support women to achieve their reproductive intentions during the pandemic. In Malawi, we can focus in on young people against the backdrop of COVID-19 and a health system struggling to cope. Youth in Malawi face a myriad of challenges such as early marriages, unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, high new HIV infections, early childbearing, drug and alcohol abuse, high illiteracy rate, poverty, and HIV and AIDS pandemic. (NSRHR Policy 2017–2022). While young people make up the largest and fastest growing proportion of population in Malawi with 51% of the population below 18 years, access to SRH care remains low among Malawian youth with 41% of adolescent women aged 15–19 having an unmet need for modern contraception. A Family Planning training in Lilongwe, Malawi, by Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM). As the world celebrates population day, the Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM), which is IPPF's Member Association in the country, has increased effective strategies for providing access to information and SRH care to youth, including persons living with disabilities throughout the pandemic in the country. Some of these strategies include; Training of youth leaders to conduct peer learning programs and training of health care providers in Youth friendly services.  Establishing youth friendly spaces at service delivery points.   Conducting awareness creation and demand for SRH services to youth including conducting dialogue sessions, and engaging on WhatsApp and other social media platforms like Facebook.  Sensitizing parents and guardians to create an enabling environment for youth to access SRH services.  Coordinating with the Malawi Council for people with disabilities (MACOHA) - a government agency - to increase access to SRHR for persons with disabilities. Community Reproductive Health Promoters sensitization on engaging with young people with disabilities in the community.  Use of the growing mobile phone market in Malawi as a new avenue for reaching young clients by working with a local mobile service operator to promote SRHR messaging on the 3-2-1 platform (a free to use mobile subscription app). These strategies can be found in full here. “Our work complements Government efforts. Through the WISH project and other projects, FPAM has been able to reach out to young women particularly in the hard-to-reach areas with SRH information and services which otherwise could not be available if FPAM was not present in those areas”, said Donald Makwakwa, Executive Director at the Family Planning Association of Malawi. A community training activity by FPAM. In this coming year, despite reduced funding, the project will aim to continue maintaining its innovative adaptations to support access to quality SRH services and rights for women and men living in the most difficult of circumstances. Joyce Ayong, IPPF Board of Trustee member and President of the Youth Action Movement (YAM) at the Cameroon National Planning Association for Family Welfare (CAMNAFAW) highlighted the importance of youth outreach and inclusion especially in the most difficult of circumstances. “We campaign for the cause of young people so that they are taken into account. Young persons with disabilities and youth living in hard to reach areas also need to access SRH care and information and it is our duty to continue to find ways to provide these lifesaving services to them”, said Ayong. The WISH2 program will continue to find adaptive strategies ensuring that the much-needed SRH care in some of the hardest hit countries by the pandemic is delivered to the most marginalized, leaving no one behind when it comes to family planning needs. About the Women’s Integrated Sexual Health Project 2 The Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) programme offers quality integrated and inclusive family planning and sexual and reproductive health services to marginalized and hard to reach populations: the poor, youth under 20 years and people living with disability. WISH is the UK Government’s flagship programme to support integrated sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services in a range of countries across Africa and Asia by 2021. The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) manages the WISH programme through a consortium arrangement (Lot 2) with 10 IPPF Member Associations and hand - picked partners chosen for their expertise to maximise access and reach for people in 15 countries: Development Media International (DMI), Humanity and Inclusion UK (HI), International Rescue Committee (IRC), Marie Stopes International (MSI), and Options Consultancy Services (Options). The countries are: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burundi, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe. For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.   [1] Total Fertility Rate 2021 (worldpopulationreview.com)

sexual-reproductive-health-Africa
28 May 2022

“Pads are seen as luxuries” – How Malawians are tackling period poverty

By Faith Kadzanja People with paid jobs are joyful when a month comes to its end because it signifies an influx of cash into their bank accounts and pockets. But for some women and girls, the end of the month stirs anxiety because they’re thinking about their next period, and if they can afford their menstrual hygiene products if it arrives before they get paid.  In Malawi – where almost half of the population lives below the poverty line and 25 in every 100 people live in extreme poverty – only a few girls and women can afford sanitary pads. Too embarrassed to go to school Menstruation, lasting about five days, requires an average of K600 ($0.74 USD) worth of pads a month for most. That money is too much for some girls, such as Lilongwe-based Prudence Chavula, who recalls with apprehension the first days of her periods when she would use rags to keep the flow in check.  “I was nine years old when I started menstruating. Back then, my parents could not afford to buy the pads every month, so I had to use shreds of old pieces of fabric,” Prudence explains. She says it was embarrassing going to school while having her periods since the rags could easily leak and produce a bad smell. Prudence concedes it is not easy for many girls and women from low-income families to afford sanitary products. Thus, she says, they opt for alternatives which are usually unhygienic and hazardous to their health, sometimes leading to urinary tract infections. Mary Sinoya, a Form 4 [the final year of secondary school] student in Lilongwe, says when she asks for money to buy sanitary pads from her parents, it is usually not available and so she just uses fabrics. She says during holidays she sells fritters to make money to buy sanitary pads, but it’s not possible to do this when she has school on.  Conversely, Queen Mwandira, who is also based in Lilongwe, says that even though her parents can afford her sanitary pads, using them is not an option because she does not have access to pit latrines to dispose of them after use. “As such I just use reusable pads, which we wash afterwards,’’ she says. Infections are commonplace Blantyre-based Aida Kaozala believes such infections, that she has had on several occasions, are due to the unsanitary fabrics she uses when menstruating. “When I started having my menses [period] at the age of 11, my mother instructed some women to advise me to use rags from old cloth. It would often make me feel so uncomfortable at school that I would sometimes remove them,” Aida says. She is still using the shreds because she cannot afford the sanitary pads every month as she does not have a job. Every time Aida suffers from urinary tract infections, doctors advise her to check her personal hygiene. She knows the source of her health troubles but cannot easily deal with it. This is a common story for many girls and women in Malawi.  What are the solutions? Reusable sanitary pads could solve this crisis, says Peter Mndalasini, the founder of the 10+ Her Period Her Pride Project, who further touts the materials he uses as environmentally-friendly. Mndalasini says 30% of young girls in Malawi, especially those in rural areas, stay out of school during their periods, and he wants to change that. So his organization is training primary and secondary school girls to fashion reusable pads to counter the financial restrictions of not being able to afford disposable pads.   Water and Environmental Sanitation Network Communications Officer, Gloria Nyirenda, whose organisation is a member of the Menstrual Hygiene Management Hub, believes removing tax on sanitary materials can also make them easily accessible to poorer Malawians. “In some countries such as Kenya, Uganda and the United States, this has been done. Most households in Malawi cannot afford sanitary pads, which are often seen as luxuries. It is all because of poverty,” Nyirenda says. She even proposes that the materials should be provided free of charge and placed in public restrooms and institutions. Apart from reusable sanitary pads, the menstrual cup is another option that girls and women can opt for. The small, flexible cup, made of silicone or latex rubber, catches and collects the flow instead of absorbing it like the pad does. Martha Mataka of Dedza finds the cup more convenient than the pads. “I ensure I thoroughly clean the cup and use it every month. I don’t have to regularly buy the pads because I can’t afford them,” Martha says. United Nations Population Fund introduced the cups, which were discovered in 1930, as an alternative measure for managing menstrual hygiene among girls and women. The product remains new in Malawi, despite the fact that it can significantly reduce absenteeism if widely adopted by schoolgirls from poor households. The challenges faced by menstruators in Malawi are plenty – but we see that the solutions exist too. Women and girls must no longer be held back by the natural functions of their bodies. It is far too long overdue.  This piece was originally posted by the Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) Faith Kadzanja is the Communications and Advocacy Officer, FPAM. For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.

IPPF Japan Trust Fund
30 March 2017

Japan Trust Fund

The Japan Trust Fund (JTF) represents a visionary partnership that began in 2000 between the Government of Japan and IPPF. Together, we invest in programmes that prioritize health equity, gender equality, and human security for all. Traditionally a driving force behind IPPF's efforts to support the integrated HIV prevention programmes of our Member Associations in Africa and Asia, JTF has adjusted to reflect changing global health priorities. We attach importance to universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights - an essential contributor to universal health coverage and the global development goals.     These projects have transformed the lives of people most vulnerable to HIV and high risk of maternal and child mortality. Equally, it ensures that as a donor, the GOJ’s response to HIV remains people-centred and contributes to human security.      

Integra is a 5-year research initiative in Kenya, Malawi and Swaziland.
30 May 2016

Integra Initiative

Integra is a 5-year research initiative in Kenya, Malawi and Swaziland. It aims to reduce HIV infection, HIV-related stigma and unintended pregnancy. IPPF implements the Integra Initiative with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the Population Council.  

Erasmo-Mbemba
23 November 2020

My Experience with IPPFAR’s Youth Internship Programme – Erasmo Mbemba (Malawi)

By Maryanne W. Waweru Every year, the IPPF Africa Regional Office (IPPF ARO) welcomes interns through its Youth Internship Programme. The youth internship programme is aimed at promoting adolescents and young people as key agents for social change through leadership and innovative approaches for increased access to sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information and services. From August to December 2019, Erasmo Mbemba, 26, joined the internship programme. Today we hear about his experience: Where did your interest in joining the programme stem from? From an early age, my passion and energy towards youth programming inspired me to join the *Youth Action Movement (YAM) with the Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM), which is IPPF’s Member Association in the country. Having been with YAM for three years, I developed an inclination towards youth programming in SRHR and when I came across the call for application for the youth internship program, I applied, as I was keen on contributing more to the IPPF youth agenda. Was the selection competitive? Yes, because it was a *competition among young people from all IPPF Member Associations in Africa (over 35 of them). Many young people responded to the call for application, and I was elated about my success. I believe my passion, experience and activeness in youth activities contributed to my success. What proposal did you submit? ‘Young - Adult Partnership a Possibility’. The project aimed at addressing the fact that too often young people are only seen as ‘clients or beneficiaries’ and not ‘collaborators or partners’. My proposal focused on closing that gap within FPAM and for young people to be involved at all stages of governance, programming, monitoring and evaluation and finance processes within the organization. How was your experience during the internship at the IPPF Africa Regional Office in Nairobi? I had a wonderful experience. I got the opportunity to learn from different experts at the regional and national levels, and this has been important in my professional life. I learned how to manage a regional project under the supervision of the Youth Programmes Advisor, which sharpened my skills in monitoring and evaluation, proposal writing, budgeting and grants management. Tell us about your project implementation back home. We started the implementation of my project in early September 2019 in three districts of Malawi: Kasungu, Lilongwe and Mzuzu. The project had five main activities: Capacity building of staff, volunteers, services providers, young people and board members on youth-centered programming concepts Developing and rolling out a monitoring and evaluation tool for youth-centered programs Formulating a youth-centered business plan Organizing mentorship sessions for the youth-centered advisory body and Spearheading a youth congress with YAM partners The project’s success was measured using the monitoring and evaluation framework that was specifically designed for the project during my internship at IPPF ARO. The FPAM management offered technical support during project implementation, while IPPF ARO offered both financial and technical support. IPPF ARO supported the project with $5,000. Through managing the grant, I learnt how to develop budgets for every activity, how to account for the money and how to produce financial reports. Since the conclusion of the project, some changes have been observed, such as young people being involved in decision-making bodies at district and national level. What advice would you give to adolescents and young people about participating in volunteer activities with organizations that align with their goals? They should not hesitate to be part of volunteer programs because they do not know what opportunities may arise due to such programs as it was with me. They should invest their time, skills and energy in whatever they do! Currently, Erasmo is an Environmental Health Officer and part-time lecturer in Public Health. In parallel, Erasmo is a volunteer with our Member Association in Malawi – the Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM). He is the YAM President, and the Mchinji District YAM Secretary. Erasmo holds an MSc in Sanitation, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health. *The Youth Action Movement (YAM) is the youth arm of IPPFAR’s volunteer body based within the Member Associations, and which catalyzes youth participation. *Every year, IPPF Africa Regional Office sends out a Call for Application inviting YAM members across the region to submit project proposals that are focused on providing solutions to gaps young people face with regard to SRHR. The competitive process sees three youth selected to participate in the Youth Internship Programme. The internship involves a one-month learning experience at the Secretariat in Nairobi, with the successful applicant implementing the project (funded by IPPF ARO) back in their home country. Maryanne W. Waweru is the Communications Officer, IPPF Africa Regional Office For more information about the work of IPPF Africa Region, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. 

Senior Chief Theresa Kachindamoto
04 March 2019

Leading Efforts To End Child Marriage: The Case Of Senior Chief Theresa Kachindamoto of Malawi

The practice of marrying off girls at a young age is a practice that is common in many traditional African communities. Yet, child marriage has immense negative effects on the health of girls. Child marriage promotes gender inequality as once they are married off, it often signals the end of schooling for most of these girls. Most child brides come from poor families and with their education halted, the cycle of poverty continues. Unable to work or engage in meaningful economic activities, the girls become financially dependent on their husbands. This often means that they have no decision-making or negotiating powers in the home. Early child marriage also denies the girls the opportunity to enter a loving union with a spouse of their choice. Married to much older men, many child brides are forced to endure years of physical, emotional, psychological and sexual violence from their husbands and their in-laws. Further, the practice of child marriage has strong adverse effects on the life and health of the girls. It increases their risk for cervical cancer and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV. In most cases, the girls are forced to start families when they are not physically and emotionally ready to do so. Early pregnancy predisposes young girls to a myriad of challenges such as increased susceptibility to malaria-related complications, death during childbirth due to among others: eclampsia, post-partum haemorrhage and obstructed labor -which often leads to obstetric fistula. Their babies also face severe health risks -some of which are fatal. United Against Child Marriage -an FPAM Initiative Malawi is one of the countries with the highest rates of child marriage in Africa. To address this, the Malawi government, in collaboration with different organizations, has over the years engaged in stringent efforts to address the harmful culture. IPPF’s Member Association in Malawi -Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) is recognized as one of the leading organizations that works together with the government in this regard. One of the successful strategies that FPAM has always used in the implementation of its programs and projects is closely working with different partners and stakeholders to achieve its objectives. These include government, ministries, health institutions, parents, youth groups, champions, opinion formers, religious and community leaders such as chiefs, elders and other traditional leaders. The ‘United Against Child Marriage’ project; Partnership with Local Custodians of Culture  The United Against Child Marriage project is one of the initiatives that FPAM has engaged in to address the harmful practice. At the beginning of the project, FPAM identified Senior Chief Theresa Kachindamoto -a prominent Ngoni Chief in the Central region of Malawi as a strategic and invaluable partner. Chiefs enact community by-laws for the development of the community and ensure that these by-laws are enforced. Watch: Ending Child Marriage in Malawi An outstanding advocate in different health, development and cultural issues, Senior Chief Kachindamoto is one of Malawi’s foremost female empowerment champions. She believes that Chiefs, as custodians of culture, are expected to be at the forefront in ending cultural practices that negatively affect the community’s health and development. Senior Chief Kachindamoto believes that these custodians of culture should be role models in society, owing to the respect that the community members accord them. In her community, Senior Chief Kachindamoto has played a leading role in addressing some of the harmful gender norms which affect young women and girls, such as sexual cleansing (fisi). Saddened by the increase in child marriages in her area, FPAM identified her as a strong collaborative partner. Her engagement in the project has seen her consistently engage different traditional and community leaders in seeking solutions to address the harmful practice. Senior Chief Kachindamoto was part of the team of Chiefs who formulated by-laws to end child marriages in her area, and the annulment of such already existing marriages. These laws stipulate that no girl/boy should be married before the age of 18 years. Through her participation in FPAM’s ‘United Against Child Marriage’ project, she annulled over 300 child marriages. Senior Chief Kachindamoto has always championed access to education for young girls, and, together with local school administrators and organizations such as FPAM, she has strengthened the re-admission policy of girls back to school. Aside from the ‘United Against Child Marriage’ project, FPAM continues to, on a regular basis, engage Senior Chief Kachindamoto in different projects aimed at establishing a strong sexual reproductive health advocacy structure in the society. She says that different community programmes have been strengthened following the introduction of sexual reproductive health programmes targeting young people by Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) in her area of jurisdiction. Her enviable work with FPAM has helped raise its profile in Malawi and beyond. The collaboration of FPAM with local leaders such as Senior Chief Kachindamoto was identified as one of FPAM’s Good Practices during the 3rd Cycle of Accreditation. A Good Practice is an activity or practice that has been proven to work and yields positive results. The sharing of Good Practices by IPPF Member Associations offers learning experiences for their counterparts. See other Good Practices from our Member Associations: Mobile Clinics in Cape Verde: Taking Services Closer to the People Awarding the Best Performing Clinics: Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association (LPPA) What’s in a Game? ABUBEF’s use of Playing Cards for Youth SRHR Education Connect with Family Planning Association of Malawi here. For more information about the work of IPPF Africa Region, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

FPAM
23 January 2018

The Global Gag Rule threatens HIV prevention healthcare in Malawi

Bordered by Lake Malawi, one of Africa’s largest and longest lakes, Malawi in southern Africa is home to around 18 million people, Tanzania lies to the north, Mozambique to the south and west, Zambia to the east.  Life expectancy averages 60 for men and 65 for women and the country has a high prevalence of HIV. More than one million people were living with HIV in Malawi in 2016, according to UNAIDS.  The Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) provides both static and community-based sexual and reproductive health (SHR) services, reaching even the most remote communities to ensure no-one is left behind.  Females at high risk Adolescent girls and young women are particularly at risk. As UNAIDS says: “Malawi’s HIV epidemic remains generalised and feminised.” Supported by US development funds, FPAM’s HIV projects target these vulnerable communities. Female sex workers (FSW) are offered safe spaces to get treatment and support, other initiatives work to prevent gender-based violence.  In the underserved communities of Machinga, in the southeast of the country, FPAM conducts free sexual and reproductive health (SRH) clinics. Service users can find a one-stop centre to access free family-planning services, advice for peer educators, and help for people who’ve experienced sexual gender-based violence (SGBV). In traditional communities like these, there’ve been few such projects. And no workable system for handling cases of sexual gender-based violence. Well over 3,500 people have been reached, with cases referred to the project by watch groups. Education is key – and FPAM has trained young people to pass on information about where to get help. Forced closures In the city of Lilongwe, FPAM’s projects are accessed regularly by 4,000 female sex workers. It’s estimated that the prevalence of HIV is around 60% in this group. FPAM conducts comprehensive prevention, care and treatment services through both static and moonlight clinics.  The Global Gag Rule (GGR) means funds for projects like these are being forced to close.   FPAM’s Executive Director, Thokozani Mbendera, fears a range of core services could be hit. “We fear GGR will greatly negatively affect the members of the community,” he says. “Teenage pregnancies, unwanted pregnancies and other health issues will manifest… The one-stop centre will cease to function.”  IPPF is trying to find alternative funds to fill gaps, this is a combination of long and short term to avoid closures and reductions in services

21 March 2016

Malawi’s First Lady Commends FPAM’s Work with Adolescent Girls and Young Women in the Country

Malawi’s First Lady Her Excellency Dr. Gertrude Mutharika has called on strengthened efforts to address the needs of adolescent girls and young women in the country. Speaking during the opening ceremony of a three-day consultative workshop for adolescent girls organized by the Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) –a Member Association of IPPF Africa Region, Dr. Mutharika decried the myriad of challenges that many young women in Malawi continue to face today, which often times lead to their engagement in unsafe sexual practices. “A significant number of girls and young women often find themselves in situations where they are forced into unwanted sexual practices in a bid to survive – practices which unfortunately lead to negative health consequences. Many girls end up with unwanted pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV. I urge you girls to be confident and report any person who demands sex from you in return for favours. Do not be afraid to do so,” she appealed to the young female advocates present during the opening ceremony on 11 March 2016. The FPAM-led consultative workshop aimed at empowering adolescent girls and young women on their Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Dr. Mutharika is recognized as a key champion for women’s empowerment in Malawi, and is dedicated to raising the profile of women in society. At the forum, The First Lady particularly commended FPAM’s noble work in leading efforts to train young Malawi women as advocates for their rights to quality SRHR services through the 3E project (Engagement + Empowerment = Equality). The 3E project works with young girls and aims to reduce their HIV vulnerability by addressing the challenges they face, which largely stem from unequal power relations between men and women. According to Ms. Dudu Simelane, the IPPFAR Team Leader for East and Southern Africa and who also attended the forum, the project is designed to bring adolescent girls and young women into advocacy arena, develop their leadership skills and engage them in national, regional and global HIV policy platforms to champion their Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) needs. “Gender inequality, injustice and persistent structural barriers continue to shape the HIV/AIDS epidemic. HIV disproportionately affects adolescent girls and young women due to both biological and gendered differences. The relationship of HIV as both a cause and consequence of violence against women is well documented, whereby a woman who has experienced intimate partner violence has a 50 per cent increase in likelihood of acquiring HIV. Further, an estimated 30 per cent of adolescent girls aged between 15 – 19 years experience intimate partner violence,” she said.   The 3E project is currently being implemented in the three countries of Malawi, Kenya and Uganda through the technical assistance of IPPF Africa Region, and with financial support from UN Women. In these countries, girls and young women aged between 10 – 25 years who are particularly vulnerable to HIV, as well as those living positively with HIV are empowered to voice their needs and concerns through mentoring activities and through social media. The trained youth advocates play a key role in mobilising other girls and young women by building their advocacy skills on HIV and SRHR. This they do through community outreaches, conducting educative sessions in schools, in their neighbourhoods, as well as sending out messages on popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp.   Started in July 2015, Ms. Nathalie Nkoume –IPPFAR’S Gender, Sexual Rights and Advocacy Advisor who is coordinating the 3E project notes the successes achieved in the three countries. “Today, we have more than 75 young girl advocates who are more confident about their sexuality. They are able to have open conversations about their HIV status, and are not shy about sharing credible information on sexual health with their peers. More importantly, they are able to raise their voices in decision-making platforms and advocate for the prioritization of their needs at national level. The girls have formed peer support groups which serve as good mentoring platforms for them,” says Ms. Nkoume. Ms. Nkoume adds that the successes of the 3E project have been realized as a result of the support of among others; women’s rights champions such as Dr. Mutharika, as well as government officials including those from the Ministries of Health and Education in the three countries.  

Beatrice Nguo with a young girl
16 October 2016

"Empowering Young Girls is Empowering the Society: The Case of the 3E Project" -Beatrice Nguo

By Beatrice Nguo Empowering a young girl is empowering the world. This is because women are the pillars of society, and today’s young girls are tomorrow’s mothers. It is therefore prudent to invest in girls and young women, as this is a key determinant to the development of any society. From July 2015 – March 2016, IPPF Africa Region successfully implemented a young girls’ empowerment project known as the 3E project: Empowerment + Engagement = Equality. Implemented in the three countries of Malawi, Uganda and Kenya, the project identified, trained and supported 25 and young women aged between 10 – 24 years from each country on issues surrounding HIV/AIDS advocacy. The 3E project was aimed at building the capacity of young girls to speak for themselves and advocate for their own reproductive health issues. The project enhanced their information-sharing skills among peers, and how to effectively champion their rights in wider circles. Following the initial training –conducted at the start of the project, the girls then formed small groups of peers, numbering about 20 girls each. It is in these groups that they would on a regular basis discuss issues affecting them most. The main issues that the girls explored included: HIV/AIDS, safe sex, early marriages, teen pregnancies, school dropouts, lack of safe spaces for young HIV positive girls to voice their issues, and lack of access to adequate SRHR and HIV/AIDS information and services. HIV treatment adherence, taking their peers back to school, running clubs in schools for the young adolescents, and boy-girl relationships also featured prominently in their discussions undertaken by the young ladies. To enhance their group communication, the girls formed WhatsApp groups, where they would consult each other frequently on related issues. We were able to witness such big changes in the ‘3E girls’. At the end of the engagement, some of the girls were selected to join county/district development committees in their countries –which was largely as a result of their advocacy activities following the initial training we gave them. In these platforms, they continue to campaign for the inclusion of issues affecting young girls in the development agenda. It is with such great pride that we have seen some of these girls go on to become motivational speakers to their peers –including those in schools. Their advocacy prowess has even seen some of the 3E advocates receive invitations to speak in regional and international conferences, such as the 18th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) in Harare, Zimbabwe (November 2015), the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), Women Deliver in Copenhagen, Denmark (May 2016), and the 21st International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa (July 2016). The girls have indeed become role models to many girls –not only in their communities, but in their countries and across the borders. Further, the 3E project was able to demonstrate a gap in spaces for young girls to represent themselves and articulate their issues. The project affirmed that when such spaces are created, it empowers the girls, and an empowered girl will be able to stand up for herself in whichever circumstance she finds herself in. An empowered girl is one who will not easily succumb to peer pressure. She will be less likely to be cheated into having sex, as she is aware of her rights and is empowered to make healthy choices regarding her sexuality. Empowered girls are those who are able to envision a bright future ahead of them, and not rest until they achieve their dreams. If we want to change the world today, girls’ empowerment is the way to go, and the 3E project was one such successful platform towards this. Ms. Beatrice Nguo is Programme Officer at IPPF Africa Region, and was centrally involved in the implementation of the 3E Project.

Family Planning Association of Malawi

When it was founded in 1999, the Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) focused on providing family planning services. As the organization has evolved, it has both refined and expanded its operation. Today, FPAM targets young people primarily, and reaches out to under-served rural communities.

As a result, it operates 64 service points, including 53 mobile sexual and reproductive health (SRH) facilities and 4 static clinics. Its community-based distributor/services (CBDs/CBSs) profile is also very strong with 65 additional delivery points. As ever with IPPF Member Associations, the mix of outlets and approaches is very much led by the particular demographic and geographic needs of the country.

FPAM also provides youth-friendly SRH information, education and behaviour change communication materials to young people at 4 youth centres, and through schools. Peer educators use group discussions, theatre performances, publications and audio-visual materials produced by community reproductive health promoters to pass on the message about good SRH practice and access to resources. The distribution of contraceptives, pregnancy testing, the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) for HIV and AIDS are core to FPAM’s clinic activity.

For its successful operation, the organization depends on a team of 46 full-time staff and over 600 volunteers.

Over the years, FPAM has forged partnerships with health, family and youth departments in government, to advocate forward-thinking national SRH policies. It works with a variety of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including the Malawi Girl Guides Association and Banja La Mtsogolo. Financing support comes from UNFPA, IPPF’s Japan Trust Fund, the Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP), UNICEF, National AIDS Commission, GTZ, and Youth Incentives. FPAM also networks with other SRH-focused groups, particularly in the fields of HIV and AIDS and youth issues.

Contacts

Website: www.fpamalawi.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FPAMalawi/

Mali_GGR_She Decides 2020_84448_IPPF_Xaume Olleros_Mali_IPPF_Xaume Olleros
11 July 2021

World Population Day 2021: Increasing Effective Strategies for SRHR Information and Services (Focus on Malawi)

Sunday, 11 July 2021. As we commemorate the World Population Day with a projected 7.9 billion people on the planet today, our thoughts also turn to what were the reproductive needs and wants of women and girls in Africa during this extraordinary year and whether were they fulfilled. The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating effects on the provision of health care services, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, often more so in countries in Africa that are already struggling to keep up with normal preventative and curative services, let alone COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality. While fertility rates across the globe are shifting in both directions, and with Africa accounting for the top 23 highest total fertility rates (TFR)[1] in the world, the IPPF Women’s Integrated Sexual Health project (WISH2) provides SRH care to women, men and young people in 15 countries across the world - 12 of them being in Africa, including in fragile and conflict affected countries. The WISH2 program offers quality integrated and inclusive family planning and SRH services to marginalized and hard to reach populations: the poor, youth under 20 years and people living with disability. Within this framework, the WISH2 project recognized that many of these countries’ health services have been devastatingly affected by waves of the pandemic and adapted SRH services to ensure, wherever possible, continued access to SRH care to support women to achieve their reproductive intentions during the pandemic. In Malawi, we can focus in on young people against the backdrop of COVID-19 and a health system struggling to cope. Youth in Malawi face a myriad of challenges such as early marriages, unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, high new HIV infections, early childbearing, drug and alcohol abuse, high illiteracy rate, poverty, and HIV and AIDS pandemic. (NSRHR Policy 2017–2022). While young people make up the largest and fastest growing proportion of population in Malawi with 51% of the population below 18 years, access to SRH care remains low among Malawian youth with 41% of adolescent women aged 15–19 having an unmet need for modern contraception. A Family Planning training in Lilongwe, Malawi, by Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM). As the world celebrates population day, the Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM), which is IPPF's Member Association in the country, has increased effective strategies for providing access to information and SRH care to youth, including persons living with disabilities throughout the pandemic in the country. Some of these strategies include; Training of youth leaders to conduct peer learning programs and training of health care providers in Youth friendly services.  Establishing youth friendly spaces at service delivery points.   Conducting awareness creation and demand for SRH services to youth including conducting dialogue sessions, and engaging on WhatsApp and other social media platforms like Facebook.  Sensitizing parents and guardians to create an enabling environment for youth to access SRH services.  Coordinating with the Malawi Council for people with disabilities (MACOHA) - a government agency - to increase access to SRHR for persons with disabilities. Community Reproductive Health Promoters sensitization on engaging with young people with disabilities in the community.  Use of the growing mobile phone market in Malawi as a new avenue for reaching young clients by working with a local mobile service operator to promote SRHR messaging on the 3-2-1 platform (a free to use mobile subscription app). These strategies can be found in full here. “Our work complements Government efforts. Through the WISH project and other projects, FPAM has been able to reach out to young women particularly in the hard-to-reach areas with SRH information and services which otherwise could not be available if FPAM was not present in those areas”, said Donald Makwakwa, Executive Director at the Family Planning Association of Malawi. A community training activity by FPAM. In this coming year, despite reduced funding, the project will aim to continue maintaining its innovative adaptations to support access to quality SRH services and rights for women and men living in the most difficult of circumstances. Joyce Ayong, IPPF Board of Trustee member and President of the Youth Action Movement (YAM) at the Cameroon National Planning Association for Family Welfare (CAMNAFAW) highlighted the importance of youth outreach and inclusion especially in the most difficult of circumstances. “We campaign for the cause of young people so that they are taken into account. Young persons with disabilities and youth living in hard to reach areas also need to access SRH care and information and it is our duty to continue to find ways to provide these lifesaving services to them”, said Ayong. The WISH2 program will continue to find adaptive strategies ensuring that the much-needed SRH care in some of the hardest hit countries by the pandemic is delivered to the most marginalized, leaving no one behind when it comes to family planning needs. About the Women’s Integrated Sexual Health Project 2 The Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) programme offers quality integrated and inclusive family planning and sexual and reproductive health services to marginalized and hard to reach populations: the poor, youth under 20 years and people living with disability. WISH is the UK Government’s flagship programme to support integrated sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services in a range of countries across Africa and Asia by 2021. The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) manages the WISH programme through a consortium arrangement (Lot 2) with 10 IPPF Member Associations and hand - picked partners chosen for their expertise to maximise access and reach for people in 15 countries: Development Media International (DMI), Humanity and Inclusion UK (HI), International Rescue Committee (IRC), Marie Stopes International (MSI), and Options Consultancy Services (Options). The countries are: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burundi, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe. For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.   [1] Total Fertility Rate 2021 (worldpopulationreview.com)

sexual-reproductive-health-Africa
28 May 2022

“Pads are seen as luxuries” – How Malawians are tackling period poverty

By Faith Kadzanja People with paid jobs are joyful when a month comes to its end because it signifies an influx of cash into their bank accounts and pockets. But for some women and girls, the end of the month stirs anxiety because they’re thinking about their next period, and if they can afford their menstrual hygiene products if it arrives before they get paid.  In Malawi – where almost half of the population lives below the poverty line and 25 in every 100 people live in extreme poverty – only a few girls and women can afford sanitary pads. Too embarrassed to go to school Menstruation, lasting about five days, requires an average of K600 ($0.74 USD) worth of pads a month for most. That money is too much for some girls, such as Lilongwe-based Prudence Chavula, who recalls with apprehension the first days of her periods when she would use rags to keep the flow in check.  “I was nine years old when I started menstruating. Back then, my parents could not afford to buy the pads every month, so I had to use shreds of old pieces of fabric,” Prudence explains. She says it was embarrassing going to school while having her periods since the rags could easily leak and produce a bad smell. Prudence concedes it is not easy for many girls and women from low-income families to afford sanitary products. Thus, she says, they opt for alternatives which are usually unhygienic and hazardous to their health, sometimes leading to urinary tract infections. Mary Sinoya, a Form 4 [the final year of secondary school] student in Lilongwe, says when she asks for money to buy sanitary pads from her parents, it is usually not available and so she just uses fabrics. She says during holidays she sells fritters to make money to buy sanitary pads, but it’s not possible to do this when she has school on.  Conversely, Queen Mwandira, who is also based in Lilongwe, says that even though her parents can afford her sanitary pads, using them is not an option because she does not have access to pit latrines to dispose of them after use. “As such I just use reusable pads, which we wash afterwards,’’ she says. Infections are commonplace Blantyre-based Aida Kaozala believes such infections, that she has had on several occasions, are due to the unsanitary fabrics she uses when menstruating. “When I started having my menses [period] at the age of 11, my mother instructed some women to advise me to use rags from old cloth. It would often make me feel so uncomfortable at school that I would sometimes remove them,” Aida says. She is still using the shreds because she cannot afford the sanitary pads every month as she does not have a job. Every time Aida suffers from urinary tract infections, doctors advise her to check her personal hygiene. She knows the source of her health troubles but cannot easily deal with it. This is a common story for many girls and women in Malawi.  What are the solutions? Reusable sanitary pads could solve this crisis, says Peter Mndalasini, the founder of the 10+ Her Period Her Pride Project, who further touts the materials he uses as environmentally-friendly. Mndalasini says 30% of young girls in Malawi, especially those in rural areas, stay out of school during their periods, and he wants to change that. So his organization is training primary and secondary school girls to fashion reusable pads to counter the financial restrictions of not being able to afford disposable pads.   Water and Environmental Sanitation Network Communications Officer, Gloria Nyirenda, whose organisation is a member of the Menstrual Hygiene Management Hub, believes removing tax on sanitary materials can also make them easily accessible to poorer Malawians. “In some countries such as Kenya, Uganda and the United States, this has been done. Most households in Malawi cannot afford sanitary pads, which are often seen as luxuries. It is all because of poverty,” Nyirenda says. She even proposes that the materials should be provided free of charge and placed in public restrooms and institutions. Apart from reusable sanitary pads, the menstrual cup is another option that girls and women can opt for. The small, flexible cup, made of silicone or latex rubber, catches and collects the flow instead of absorbing it like the pad does. Martha Mataka of Dedza finds the cup more convenient than the pads. “I ensure I thoroughly clean the cup and use it every month. I don’t have to regularly buy the pads because I can’t afford them,” Martha says. United Nations Population Fund introduced the cups, which were discovered in 1930, as an alternative measure for managing menstrual hygiene among girls and women. The product remains new in Malawi, despite the fact that it can significantly reduce absenteeism if widely adopted by schoolgirls from poor households. The challenges faced by menstruators in Malawi are plenty – but we see that the solutions exist too. Women and girls must no longer be held back by the natural functions of their bodies. It is far too long overdue.  This piece was originally posted by the Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) Faith Kadzanja is the Communications and Advocacy Officer, FPAM. For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.

IPPF Japan Trust Fund
30 March 2017

Japan Trust Fund

The Japan Trust Fund (JTF) represents a visionary partnership that began in 2000 between the Government of Japan and IPPF. Together, we invest in programmes that prioritize health equity, gender equality, and human security for all. Traditionally a driving force behind IPPF's efforts to support the integrated HIV prevention programmes of our Member Associations in Africa and Asia, JTF has adjusted to reflect changing global health priorities. We attach importance to universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights - an essential contributor to universal health coverage and the global development goals.     These projects have transformed the lives of people most vulnerable to HIV and high risk of maternal and child mortality. Equally, it ensures that as a donor, the GOJ’s response to HIV remains people-centred and contributes to human security.      

Integra is a 5-year research initiative in Kenya, Malawi and Swaziland.
30 May 2016

Integra Initiative

Integra is a 5-year research initiative in Kenya, Malawi and Swaziland. It aims to reduce HIV infection, HIV-related stigma and unintended pregnancy. IPPF implements the Integra Initiative with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the Population Council.  

Erasmo-Mbemba
23 November 2020

My Experience with IPPFAR’s Youth Internship Programme – Erasmo Mbemba (Malawi)

By Maryanne W. Waweru Every year, the IPPF Africa Regional Office (IPPF ARO) welcomes interns through its Youth Internship Programme. The youth internship programme is aimed at promoting adolescents and young people as key agents for social change through leadership and innovative approaches for increased access to sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information and services. From August to December 2019, Erasmo Mbemba, 26, joined the internship programme. Today we hear about his experience: Where did your interest in joining the programme stem from? From an early age, my passion and energy towards youth programming inspired me to join the *Youth Action Movement (YAM) with the Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM), which is IPPF’s Member Association in the country. Having been with YAM for three years, I developed an inclination towards youth programming in SRHR and when I came across the call for application for the youth internship program, I applied, as I was keen on contributing more to the IPPF youth agenda. Was the selection competitive? Yes, because it was a *competition among young people from all IPPF Member Associations in Africa (over 35 of them). Many young people responded to the call for application, and I was elated about my success. I believe my passion, experience and activeness in youth activities contributed to my success. What proposal did you submit? ‘Young - Adult Partnership a Possibility’. The project aimed at addressing the fact that too often young people are only seen as ‘clients or beneficiaries’ and not ‘collaborators or partners’. My proposal focused on closing that gap within FPAM and for young people to be involved at all stages of governance, programming, monitoring and evaluation and finance processes within the organization. How was your experience during the internship at the IPPF Africa Regional Office in Nairobi? I had a wonderful experience. I got the opportunity to learn from different experts at the regional and national levels, and this has been important in my professional life. I learned how to manage a regional project under the supervision of the Youth Programmes Advisor, which sharpened my skills in monitoring and evaluation, proposal writing, budgeting and grants management. Tell us about your project implementation back home. We started the implementation of my project in early September 2019 in three districts of Malawi: Kasungu, Lilongwe and Mzuzu. The project had five main activities: Capacity building of staff, volunteers, services providers, young people and board members on youth-centered programming concepts Developing and rolling out a monitoring and evaluation tool for youth-centered programs Formulating a youth-centered business plan Organizing mentorship sessions for the youth-centered advisory body and Spearheading a youth congress with YAM partners The project’s success was measured using the monitoring and evaluation framework that was specifically designed for the project during my internship at IPPF ARO. The FPAM management offered technical support during project implementation, while IPPF ARO offered both financial and technical support. IPPF ARO supported the project with $5,000. Through managing the grant, I learnt how to develop budgets for every activity, how to account for the money and how to produce financial reports. Since the conclusion of the project, some changes have been observed, such as young people being involved in decision-making bodies at district and national level. What advice would you give to adolescents and young people about participating in volunteer activities with organizations that align with their goals? They should not hesitate to be part of volunteer programs because they do not know what opportunities may arise due to such programs as it was with me. They should invest their time, skills and energy in whatever they do! Currently, Erasmo is an Environmental Health Officer and part-time lecturer in Public Health. In parallel, Erasmo is a volunteer with our Member Association in Malawi – the Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM). He is the YAM President, and the Mchinji District YAM Secretary. Erasmo holds an MSc in Sanitation, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health. *The Youth Action Movement (YAM) is the youth arm of IPPFAR’s volunteer body based within the Member Associations, and which catalyzes youth participation. *Every year, IPPF Africa Regional Office sends out a Call for Application inviting YAM members across the region to submit project proposals that are focused on providing solutions to gaps young people face with regard to SRHR. The competitive process sees three youth selected to participate in the Youth Internship Programme. The internship involves a one-month learning experience at the Secretariat in Nairobi, with the successful applicant implementing the project (funded by IPPF ARO) back in their home country. Maryanne W. Waweru is the Communications Officer, IPPF Africa Regional Office For more information about the work of IPPF Africa Region, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. 

Senior Chief Theresa Kachindamoto
04 March 2019

Leading Efforts To End Child Marriage: The Case Of Senior Chief Theresa Kachindamoto of Malawi

The practice of marrying off girls at a young age is a practice that is common in many traditional African communities. Yet, child marriage has immense negative effects on the health of girls. Child marriage promotes gender inequality as once they are married off, it often signals the end of schooling for most of these girls. Most child brides come from poor families and with their education halted, the cycle of poverty continues. Unable to work or engage in meaningful economic activities, the girls become financially dependent on their husbands. This often means that they have no decision-making or negotiating powers in the home. Early child marriage also denies the girls the opportunity to enter a loving union with a spouse of their choice. Married to much older men, many child brides are forced to endure years of physical, emotional, psychological and sexual violence from their husbands and their in-laws. Further, the practice of child marriage has strong adverse effects on the life and health of the girls. It increases their risk for cervical cancer and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV. In most cases, the girls are forced to start families when they are not physically and emotionally ready to do so. Early pregnancy predisposes young girls to a myriad of challenges such as increased susceptibility to malaria-related complications, death during childbirth due to among others: eclampsia, post-partum haemorrhage and obstructed labor -which often leads to obstetric fistula. Their babies also face severe health risks -some of which are fatal. United Against Child Marriage -an FPAM Initiative Malawi is one of the countries with the highest rates of child marriage in Africa. To address this, the Malawi government, in collaboration with different organizations, has over the years engaged in stringent efforts to address the harmful culture. IPPF’s Member Association in Malawi -Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) is recognized as one of the leading organizations that works together with the government in this regard. One of the successful strategies that FPAM has always used in the implementation of its programs and projects is closely working with different partners and stakeholders to achieve its objectives. These include government, ministries, health institutions, parents, youth groups, champions, opinion formers, religious and community leaders such as chiefs, elders and other traditional leaders. The ‘United Against Child Marriage’ project; Partnership with Local Custodians of Culture  The United Against Child Marriage project is one of the initiatives that FPAM has engaged in to address the harmful practice. At the beginning of the project, FPAM identified Senior Chief Theresa Kachindamoto -a prominent Ngoni Chief in the Central region of Malawi as a strategic and invaluable partner. Chiefs enact community by-laws for the development of the community and ensure that these by-laws are enforced. Watch: Ending Child Marriage in Malawi An outstanding advocate in different health, development and cultural issues, Senior Chief Kachindamoto is one of Malawi’s foremost female empowerment champions. She believes that Chiefs, as custodians of culture, are expected to be at the forefront in ending cultural practices that negatively affect the community’s health and development. Senior Chief Kachindamoto believes that these custodians of culture should be role models in society, owing to the respect that the community members accord them. In her community, Senior Chief Kachindamoto has played a leading role in addressing some of the harmful gender norms which affect young women and girls, such as sexual cleansing (fisi). Saddened by the increase in child marriages in her area, FPAM identified her as a strong collaborative partner. Her engagement in the project has seen her consistently engage different traditional and community leaders in seeking solutions to address the harmful practice. Senior Chief Kachindamoto was part of the team of Chiefs who formulated by-laws to end child marriages in her area, and the annulment of such already existing marriages. These laws stipulate that no girl/boy should be married before the age of 18 years. Through her participation in FPAM’s ‘United Against Child Marriage’ project, she annulled over 300 child marriages. Senior Chief Kachindamoto has always championed access to education for young girls, and, together with local school administrators and organizations such as FPAM, she has strengthened the re-admission policy of girls back to school. Aside from the ‘United Against Child Marriage’ project, FPAM continues to, on a regular basis, engage Senior Chief Kachindamoto in different projects aimed at establishing a strong sexual reproductive health advocacy structure in the society. She says that different community programmes have been strengthened following the introduction of sexual reproductive health programmes targeting young people by Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) in her area of jurisdiction. Her enviable work with FPAM has helped raise its profile in Malawi and beyond. The collaboration of FPAM with local leaders such as Senior Chief Kachindamoto was identified as one of FPAM’s Good Practices during the 3rd Cycle of Accreditation. A Good Practice is an activity or practice that has been proven to work and yields positive results. The sharing of Good Practices by IPPF Member Associations offers learning experiences for their counterparts. See other Good Practices from our Member Associations: Mobile Clinics in Cape Verde: Taking Services Closer to the People Awarding the Best Performing Clinics: Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association (LPPA) What’s in a Game? ABUBEF’s use of Playing Cards for Youth SRHR Education Connect with Family Planning Association of Malawi here. For more information about the work of IPPF Africa Region, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

FPAM
23 January 2018

The Global Gag Rule threatens HIV prevention healthcare in Malawi

Bordered by Lake Malawi, one of Africa’s largest and longest lakes, Malawi in southern Africa is home to around 18 million people, Tanzania lies to the north, Mozambique to the south and west, Zambia to the east.  Life expectancy averages 60 for men and 65 for women and the country has a high prevalence of HIV. More than one million people were living with HIV in Malawi in 2016, according to UNAIDS.  The Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) provides both static and community-based sexual and reproductive health (SHR) services, reaching even the most remote communities to ensure no-one is left behind.  Females at high risk Adolescent girls and young women are particularly at risk. As UNAIDS says: “Malawi’s HIV epidemic remains generalised and feminised.” Supported by US development funds, FPAM’s HIV projects target these vulnerable communities. Female sex workers (FSW) are offered safe spaces to get treatment and support, other initiatives work to prevent gender-based violence.  In the underserved communities of Machinga, in the southeast of the country, FPAM conducts free sexual and reproductive health (SRH) clinics. Service users can find a one-stop centre to access free family-planning services, advice for peer educators, and help for people who’ve experienced sexual gender-based violence (SGBV). In traditional communities like these, there’ve been few such projects. And no workable system for handling cases of sexual gender-based violence. Well over 3,500 people have been reached, with cases referred to the project by watch groups. Education is key – and FPAM has trained young people to pass on information about where to get help. Forced closures In the city of Lilongwe, FPAM’s projects are accessed regularly by 4,000 female sex workers. It’s estimated that the prevalence of HIV is around 60% in this group. FPAM conducts comprehensive prevention, care and treatment services through both static and moonlight clinics.  The Global Gag Rule (GGR) means funds for projects like these are being forced to close.   FPAM’s Executive Director, Thokozani Mbendera, fears a range of core services could be hit. “We fear GGR will greatly negatively affect the members of the community,” he says. “Teenage pregnancies, unwanted pregnancies and other health issues will manifest… The one-stop centre will cease to function.”  IPPF is trying to find alternative funds to fill gaps, this is a combination of long and short term to avoid closures and reductions in services

21 March 2016

Malawi’s First Lady Commends FPAM’s Work with Adolescent Girls and Young Women in the Country

Malawi’s First Lady Her Excellency Dr. Gertrude Mutharika has called on strengthened efforts to address the needs of adolescent girls and young women in the country. Speaking during the opening ceremony of a three-day consultative workshop for adolescent girls organized by the Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) –a Member Association of IPPF Africa Region, Dr. Mutharika decried the myriad of challenges that many young women in Malawi continue to face today, which often times lead to their engagement in unsafe sexual practices. “A significant number of girls and young women often find themselves in situations where they are forced into unwanted sexual practices in a bid to survive – practices which unfortunately lead to negative health consequences. Many girls end up with unwanted pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV. I urge you girls to be confident and report any person who demands sex from you in return for favours. Do not be afraid to do so,” she appealed to the young female advocates present during the opening ceremony on 11 March 2016. The FPAM-led consultative workshop aimed at empowering adolescent girls and young women on their Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Dr. Mutharika is recognized as a key champion for women’s empowerment in Malawi, and is dedicated to raising the profile of women in society. At the forum, The First Lady particularly commended FPAM’s noble work in leading efforts to train young Malawi women as advocates for their rights to quality SRHR services through the 3E project (Engagement + Empowerment = Equality). The 3E project works with young girls and aims to reduce their HIV vulnerability by addressing the challenges they face, which largely stem from unequal power relations between men and women. According to Ms. Dudu Simelane, the IPPFAR Team Leader for East and Southern Africa and who also attended the forum, the project is designed to bring adolescent girls and young women into advocacy arena, develop their leadership skills and engage them in national, regional and global HIV policy platforms to champion their Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) needs. “Gender inequality, injustice and persistent structural barriers continue to shape the HIV/AIDS epidemic. HIV disproportionately affects adolescent girls and young women due to both biological and gendered differences. The relationship of HIV as both a cause and consequence of violence against women is well documented, whereby a woman who has experienced intimate partner violence has a 50 per cent increase in likelihood of acquiring HIV. Further, an estimated 30 per cent of adolescent girls aged between 15 – 19 years experience intimate partner violence,” she said.   The 3E project is currently being implemented in the three countries of Malawi, Kenya and Uganda through the technical assistance of IPPF Africa Region, and with financial support from UN Women. In these countries, girls and young women aged between 10 – 25 years who are particularly vulnerable to HIV, as well as those living positively with HIV are empowered to voice their needs and concerns through mentoring activities and through social media. The trained youth advocates play a key role in mobilising other girls and young women by building their advocacy skills on HIV and SRHR. This they do through community outreaches, conducting educative sessions in schools, in their neighbourhoods, as well as sending out messages on popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp.   Started in July 2015, Ms. Nathalie Nkoume –IPPFAR’S Gender, Sexual Rights and Advocacy Advisor who is coordinating the 3E project notes the successes achieved in the three countries. “Today, we have more than 75 young girl advocates who are more confident about their sexuality. They are able to have open conversations about their HIV status, and are not shy about sharing credible information on sexual health with their peers. More importantly, they are able to raise their voices in decision-making platforms and advocate for the prioritization of their needs at national level. The girls have formed peer support groups which serve as good mentoring platforms for them,” says Ms. Nkoume. Ms. Nkoume adds that the successes of the 3E project have been realized as a result of the support of among others; women’s rights champions such as Dr. Mutharika, as well as government officials including those from the Ministries of Health and Education in the three countries.  

Beatrice Nguo with a young girl
16 October 2016

"Empowering Young Girls is Empowering the Society: The Case of the 3E Project" -Beatrice Nguo

By Beatrice Nguo Empowering a young girl is empowering the world. This is because women are the pillars of society, and today’s young girls are tomorrow’s mothers. It is therefore prudent to invest in girls and young women, as this is a key determinant to the development of any society. From July 2015 – March 2016, IPPF Africa Region successfully implemented a young girls’ empowerment project known as the 3E project: Empowerment + Engagement = Equality. Implemented in the three countries of Malawi, Uganda and Kenya, the project identified, trained and supported 25 and young women aged between 10 – 24 years from each country on issues surrounding HIV/AIDS advocacy. The 3E project was aimed at building the capacity of young girls to speak for themselves and advocate for their own reproductive health issues. The project enhanced their information-sharing skills among peers, and how to effectively champion their rights in wider circles. Following the initial training –conducted at the start of the project, the girls then formed small groups of peers, numbering about 20 girls each. It is in these groups that they would on a regular basis discuss issues affecting them most. The main issues that the girls explored included: HIV/AIDS, safe sex, early marriages, teen pregnancies, school dropouts, lack of safe spaces for young HIV positive girls to voice their issues, and lack of access to adequate SRHR and HIV/AIDS information and services. HIV treatment adherence, taking their peers back to school, running clubs in schools for the young adolescents, and boy-girl relationships also featured prominently in their discussions undertaken by the young ladies. To enhance their group communication, the girls formed WhatsApp groups, where they would consult each other frequently on related issues. We were able to witness such big changes in the ‘3E girls’. At the end of the engagement, some of the girls were selected to join county/district development committees in their countries –which was largely as a result of their advocacy activities following the initial training we gave them. In these platforms, they continue to campaign for the inclusion of issues affecting young girls in the development agenda. It is with such great pride that we have seen some of these girls go on to become motivational speakers to their peers –including those in schools. Their advocacy prowess has even seen some of the 3E advocates receive invitations to speak in regional and international conferences, such as the 18th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) in Harare, Zimbabwe (November 2015), the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), Women Deliver in Copenhagen, Denmark (May 2016), and the 21st International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa (July 2016). The girls have indeed become role models to many girls –not only in their communities, but in their countries and across the borders. Further, the 3E project was able to demonstrate a gap in spaces for young girls to represent themselves and articulate their issues. The project affirmed that when such spaces are created, it empowers the girls, and an empowered girl will be able to stand up for herself in whichever circumstance she finds herself in. An empowered girl is one who will not easily succumb to peer pressure. She will be less likely to be cheated into having sex, as she is aware of her rights and is empowered to make healthy choices regarding her sexuality. Empowered girls are those who are able to envision a bright future ahead of them, and not rest until they achieve their dreams. If we want to change the world today, girls’ empowerment is the way to go, and the 3E project was one such successful platform towards this. Ms. Beatrice Nguo is Programme Officer at IPPF Africa Region, and was centrally involved in the implementation of the 3E Project.

Family Planning Association of Malawi

When it was founded in 1999, the Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) focused on providing family planning services. As the organization has evolved, it has both refined and expanded its operation. Today, FPAM targets young people primarily, and reaches out to under-served rural communities.

As a result, it operates 64 service points, including 53 mobile sexual and reproductive health (SRH) facilities and 4 static clinics. Its community-based distributor/services (CBDs/CBSs) profile is also very strong with 65 additional delivery points. As ever with IPPF Member Associations, the mix of outlets and approaches is very much led by the particular demographic and geographic needs of the country.

FPAM also provides youth-friendly SRH information, education and behaviour change communication materials to young people at 4 youth centres, and through schools. Peer educators use group discussions, theatre performances, publications and audio-visual materials produced by community reproductive health promoters to pass on the message about good SRH practice and access to resources. The distribution of contraceptives, pregnancy testing, the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) for HIV and AIDS are core to FPAM’s clinic activity.

For its successful operation, the organization depends on a team of 46 full-time staff and over 600 volunteers.

Over the years, FPAM has forged partnerships with health, family and youth departments in government, to advocate forward-thinking national SRH policies. It works with a variety of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including the Malawi Girl Guides Association and Banja La Mtsogolo. Financing support comes from UNFPA, IPPF’s Japan Trust Fund, the Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP), UNICEF, National AIDS Commission, GTZ, and Youth Incentives. FPAM also networks with other SRH-focused groups, particularly in the fields of HIV and AIDS and youth issues.

Contacts

Website: www.fpamalawi.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FPAMalawi/