Malawi: Empowering Communities to Access Registration Services and Protect Women’s Rights

The DREAM Programme is a partner in the project “Human rights-based empowerment of the population for better access to registration services and protection of women’s rights in Malawi”, funded by German Development Cooperation (BMZ). The project aims to strengthen access to civil registration services—particularly birth registration—and to promote stronger protection of women’s rights.

The project focuses on work at community level and within health facilities. Through information and awareness-raising activities, educational sessions and dedicated materials, women and families will be reached to increase awareness of the importance of registration, the procedures to follow and the services available, with specific attention also given to gender-based violence (GBV) and to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

Planned actions include periodic campaigns in villages, markets, schools and religious communities, as well as information sessions in maternity ward waiting areas. A key element of the project is the involvement of traditional leaders and community focal points, in order to ensure the credibility of the message and to foster lasting changes in practices and knowledge.

The project contributes to the promotion of a more inclusive and rights-respecting society, strengthening the protection of women and children and reducing the barriers that prevent families from accessing essential services.