Addressing Sex and Gender-Based Violence through Social Analysis and Action

The project "Addressing Sex and Gender-Based Violence through Social Analysis and Action in Nkhata Bay and Mzimba Districts" is a UNDP funded project aimed at deep-diving into harmful social norms that exacerbate SGBV and provides tools to key stakeholders at grassroots dealing with SGBV on innovative strategies on how to deconstruct such norms and myths in a way communities at grassroots can understand root causes and be compelled to take action to change

Self Help Group Approach

FCR was implementing a self-help group programme with support KNH through A&RD consultants. This approach aimed at empowering women politically, economically and socially. Through the initiative these women were not given any capital but encouraged to save small amounts of money from which they take loans to do small scale business and then repay the money with small interest. The uniqueness of this approach was that the money was not shared at the year, but as the savings grow the women take large amounts of loans therefore do bigger business and more profitable businesses. These groups also participate in community development and also discuss community issues and find solutions to the same. FCR was implementing this approach in Mzuzu in Zolozolo West ward and Sonda in T/A KampingoSibande

HIV/AIDS Mitigation

This project was carried out in Mzuzu City and it aimed at educating the masses on the dangers of HIV/AIDS and best practices towards the prevention of catching the virus. It also aimed at providing basic care and support to individuals who are directly infected and affected by the pandemic. The project supported a group of women who organized themselves in 2003 to work as volunteers on issues that negatively affected widows and vulnerable children. This group of women is basically playing the role of giving counseling services and mitigating factors to the affected and infected families. They also carry out IGA activities like chicken rearing and running a child care center, so that the proceeds are used to fend for children who are needy in their area. The reason behind this is to ensure that the right to education and other social services Foundation for Children’s Rights Profile are even enjoyed by children who are in critical conditions. The initiative was supported by NAC through plan Malawi with funding worthy MK 850,000.00.