Locations
Strengthening Human Rights for Vulnerable Populations in Malawi
Human Rights Project
Project Description
The Strengthening Human Rights for Vulnerable Populations in Malawi Project aims to strengthen national mechanisms to ensure that the rights of vulnerable groups are protected. The project strengthens the institutional capacity of national oversight, security, and justice institutions to ensure Malawi’s compliance with international treaty obligations. It also promotes gender equality and women’s economic empowerment to ensure their full enjoyment of human rights.
Project Outcome
Human rights mechanisms are strengthened to monitor and respond to the promotion and protection of citizens rights.
Project Outputs
The Project is structured around two key outputs:
Output 1: National capacity to comply with international treaty obligations is increased.
Output 2: Capacity of civil society strengthened to represent, access and defend the rights of vulnerable groups (women, girls, people with disabilities (PWDs), persons living with HIV/AIDS, LGBTQI+ and older persons).
Budget
US$ 2,191,000
Project Duration
1 November 2023- 31 December 2026
Donors
Embassy of Ireland and the Royal Norwegian Embassy
Geographical Coverage
Countrywide
Implementing Agencies
UNDP
Partners
Malawi Human Rights Commission, Office of the Ombudsman, Ministry of Justice, CSOs, Malawi Law Society, Judiciary of Malawi
Target Beneficiaries
All citizens especially vulnerable groups (women, girls, persons with disabilities (PWDs), persons living with HIV/AIDS, LGBTQI+ and older persons)
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 5: Gender Equality
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Key Achievements
- Provided technical support for the establishment and constitution of an Interministerial Committee and capacity development of Ministries, Departments and Agencies for compliance with universal periodic review (UPR) and treaty body mechanism obligations.
- Supported the Ministry of Justice regarding the submission of Malawi’s treaty report response in compliance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
- Supported the development, launch and roll out of Malawi Human Rights Commission Gender Responsive Strategic Plan (2024-2028).
- Provided support for a comprehensive legal framework for judicial independence and accountability through the development and enactment of the Judicial Service Administration Act.
- Expansion of the National Sexual and Gender Based Violence Observatory Hub (online case management system established to track SGBV cases), to Mangochi and Nkhotakota districts.
- Regular country-wide monitoring and inspection visits to 22 prisons and 22 police holding cells by the Malawi Human Rights Commission to ensure the protection of the rights of prison inmates and the implementation of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Mandela Rules).
- Human rights and mobile accountability clinics deployed in remote communities, serving as proactive mechanisms to raise awareness about the mandate of the Malawi Human Rights Commission and the Office of the Ombudsman; and address grievances related to public service delivery and hold duty bearers accountable.
