Malawi’s economy is primarily agro-based, with the majority of its population engaging in agriculture. Women make up 52% of the population and represent over 70% of the agricultural labor force, producing approximately 80% of the food needed for subsistence. However, climate change—marked by rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns—has negatively impacted agricultural production. To ensure that women benefit from their agricultural activities, it is crucial to build their capacity for improved productivity. Additionally, improving access to farm inputs, markets, extension services, and equipping women with climate-smart agricultural practices is necessary. Another critical factor is ensuring that women have easier access to, control over, and use of land for agricultural purposes, as this is currently a significant challenge.
In their pursuit of economic advancement, women also engage in small-scale businesses. About 46% of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Malawi are owned by women, compared to 52% owned by men. To boost the growth of women-owned businesses and increase their income levels, women in entrepreneurship need further capacity-building. With an unemployment rate for women at 26%, almost double that of men at 14%, improving women’s entrepreneurship skills can facilitate job creation. Challenges such as high interest rates and collateral demands further limit women’s access to financial support from lending institutions, with some banks charging interest rates above 40%.
To address these challenges, NGOGCN plans to focus on:
a. Improving the economic status of women and girls through targeted economic empowerment initiatives.
b. Enhancing women’s access to, control over, and use of productive resources, agricultural inputs, and services.
c. Addressing climate change and promoting environmental management by supporting climate-smart agriculture.
Strategic Issue: Women constitute over 70% of agricultural labor and provide 80% of household food in Malawi. With many women living in rural areas and relying on subsistence farming, economic empowerment in agriculture is vital for their financial independence.
Strategic Goal: To improve agricultural productivity and the economic empowerment of women and girls. By strengthening their economic capacity, women are likely to increase their participation in various aspects of society, including politics, thus enhancing their overall livelihoods.
i. Strategic Objective 1: Increase agricultural productivity among women.
ii. Strategic Objective 2: Enhance women and girls' capacity to improve their economic standing.