Empowering Women and Girls in Malawi: An Interview with Open Arms

Jane is a medical doctor and board member of Open Arms, and Christie is a feminist and gender equity specialist volunteering with the team. Together, they shared their experiences and perspectives on women's empowerment in Malawi and how this related to the work of Open Arms.

What do you see as the biggest barriers that still need to be addressed in achieving gender equality in Malawi?

Jane: Traditional and tribal norms that are not in favour of women remain significant barriers. These norms often prevent women from being decision-makers and from empowering themselves and their families. Women are the main caregivers in Malawi, and addressing these gender issues is crucial for progress. For example, many cultural practices still prioritize men in decision-making roles, leaving women with limited opportunities to influence their own lives and communities.

Christie: Gender inequality in Malawi is rooted in systems of oppression, particularly patriarchy. This manifests in cultural practices, economic structures, and policies that disadvantage women. Issues like child marriages, gender-based violence, and lack of economic opportunities are major barriers.

We need to address these systemic issues to achieve gender equality. For instance, child marriages are still prevalent, and despite recent legal changes, enforcement remains a challenge. Girls as young as 13 were still being forced into early marriage up until very recently. As Jane mentioned, economic opportunities are often skewed in favour of men, leaving women with fewer resources to support themselves and their families.

How have things evolved over the years, and how is the work of Open Arms helping?

Christie: There have been positive changes, such as the introduction of legal frameworks and the rise of feminist movements advocating for women's rights. Open Arms plays a crucial role by focusing on vulnerable women, providing them with resources and support to elevate their status in society. For example, we have seen an increase in women taking on leadership roles and participating in advocacy efforts to promote gender equality.

Jane: Open Arms empowers women by providing them with the tools they need to grow their own food and raise livestock. This helps them achieve self-sufficiency and better care for their families. Despite challenges like poor crop yields and economic difficulties, these initiatives are making a significant impact. For instance, by providing seeds and livestock, we enable women to generate income and improve their families' nutrition, which has a ripple effect on the entire community.

What are the biggest challenges women face in terms of access to healthcare, education, and employment?

Jane: Access to healthcare is generally better for women due to pregnancy and child-related services. However, the lack of essential medicines remains a barrier. In terms of education and employment, gender parity is improving, but there is still a long way to go. For example, while more girls are attending school, they often face challenges such as long distances to travel and inadequate facilities, which can hinder their educational progress.

Christie: Young women face discrimination and stigma when accessing reproductive health services. The infrastructure for education is also lacking, with long distances to schools and inadequate facilities. Open Arms is helping by providing opportunities and addressing these gaps.

How do Open Arms work with communities that don't support gender equality or women's empowerment?

Jane: Open Arms runs feeding centres and provides resources like seeds and fertilizer to empower women. It's important to ensure that these resources are used effectively and that women have the support they need to succeed. For example, we monitor the use of these resources to ensure they are benefiting the intended recipients and helping to improve their livelihoods.

Christie: Awareness and sensitization are key. We need to educate communities about the importance of gender equality and reduce time poverty for women. Open Arms is dismantling the perception that care work should be unpaid by providing paid opportunities for women. For instance, by employing women in caregiving roles and compensating them fairly, we challenge traditional norms and demonstrate the value of their work.

This is just a short summary of some of the points we discussed you can listen to the full conversation by clicking here.

The work of Open Arms in Malawi is a testament to the power of community-driven approaches and partnerships. By empowering women and girls, we are creating a safer and brighter future for women, girls, their families and their communities. As we mark International Women's Day this year this short discussion shows some of the work being done and how much more work there is to do to build on the resilience and strength of women in Malawian society and the need for support of initiatives that promote gender equality and women's empowerment.

For more information about the programs run by Open Arms and how you can get involved, please contact us at any time.