[Democracy Works] A multi-stakeholder dialogue to reflect on and draw lessons from past elections to improve the 2025 electoral process

[Nyasa Times] In a powerful reaffirmation of the government's commitment to empowering Malawi's youth, Minister of Youth and Sports, Uchiz Mkandawire, has emphasized the central role that young people will play in driving the nation's development. Speaking at the official opening of the 2024 National Youth Summit in Lilongwe, Mkandawire called on the youth to seize the opportunities available to them and become active participants in shaping the country's future.

Aim/Purpose: The aim of the study is to explore factors that affect how healthcare clients in rural areas use infomediaries in maternal mHealth interventions. The study focuses on maternal healthcare clients who do not own mobile phones but use the mHealth intervention. Background: Maternal mHealth interventions in poor-resource settings are bedevilled by inequalities in mobile phone ownership. Clients who do not own mobile phones risk being excluded from benefiting from the interventions. Some maternal mHealth providers facilitate the access of mobile phones for those who do not own them using “infomediaries”. Infomediaries, in this case, refer to individuals who have custody of mobile phones that other potential beneficiaries may use. However, the use of infomediaries to offer access to the “have nots” may be influenced by a number of factors. Methodology: The study uses a case of a maternal mHealth intervention project in Malawi, as well as a qualitative research method and interpretive paradigm. Data was collected using secondary data from the implementing agency, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions. Empirical data was collected from maternal healthcare clients who do not own mobile phones and infomediaries. Data were analysed inductively using thematic analysis. Contribution: The study proposed a theoretical framework for studying infomediaries in ICT4D. The study may inform mHealth designers, implementers, and policymakers on how infomediaries could be implemented in a rural setting. Consequently, understanding the factors that affect the use of infomediaries may inform mHealth intervention implementers on how they could overcome the challenges by implementing mHealth interventions that reduce the challenges on the mHealth infomediaries side, and the maternal healthcare clients’ side. Findings: Characteristics of the maternal healthcare client, characteristics of the mHealth infomediary, perceived value of mHealth intervention, and socio-environmental factors affect maternal healthcare clients’ use of mHealth infomediaries. Recommendations for Practitioners: Implementers of interventions ought to manage the use of infomediaries to avoid volunteer fatigue and infomediaries who may not be compatible with the potential users of the intervention. Implementers could leverage traditional systems of identifying and using infomediaries instead of reinventing the wheel. Recommendation for Researchers: This research adopted a single case study to develop the theoretical framework for mHealth infomediary use. We recommend future studies are conducted in order to test and develop this framework further, not only in ICT4D, but also in other areas of application. Impact on Society: People still lack access. The lack of ownership of technology may still exclude them from participating in an information society. The use of infomediaries may help to provide access to technologies to those who do not have them thereby bridging the digital divide gap. Future Research: We propose herein that traditional systems may offer a good starting point for designing a system that would work for communities. We, therefore, recommend that future research may explore these possibilities.

Reducing food loss and waste for climate outcomes: Insights from national consultations in Bangladesh, Malawi and Nepal

Integrating key goals of food system transformation.

The post Reducing food loss and waste for climate outcomes: Insights from national consultations in Bangladesh, Malawi and Nepal appeared first on IFPRI.

World Food Prize 2024 Borlaug International Dialogue: Side Event on “Reducing the Impact of GHGs Through Managing Food Loss and Waste (FLW): Insights from Bangladesh, Guatemala, Malawi, and Nepal”

October 22, 2024 8:30 – 10:00 am (CDT) 9:30 – 11:00 am (EDT) Register IFPRI is participating in the 2024 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue. This year’s theme, “Seeds of Opportunity: Bridging Generations and Cultivating Diplomacy”, will emphasizes the vital role of integrating past wisdom, current innovations and the pressing needs of tomorrow, by leveraging […]

The post World Food Prize 2024 Borlaug International Dialogue: Side Event on “Reducing the Impact of GHGs Through Managing Food Loss and Waste (FLW): Insights from Bangladesh, Guatemala, Malawi, and Nepal” appeared first on IFPRI.

The Conversation Africa has published an oped by Joachim De Weerdt and Jan Duchoslav analyzing the food security situation in Malawi, which has been put at severe risk by the drought brought on by the El Niño weather pattern. 

All of us at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) are saddened by the tragic accident that led to the demise of Hon. Saulos Chilima, Vice President of Malawi, and his fellow passengers and extend our condolences to all of their families and loved ones. Our hearts go out to the people of Malawi at such a difficult time, and we share their grief. 

In Memoriam: Hon. Saulos Chilima, Vice President of Malawi

IFPRI extends sincere condolences in relation to the tragic accident that claimed lives of Dr. Chilima and fellow passengers.

The post In Memoriam: Hon. Saulos Chilima, Vice President of Malawi appeared first on IFPRI.

Tale of two villages: In Malawi, farmers point the way as drought drives hunger (WFP/AllAfrica/Relief Web)

The WFP story shared by All Africa and Relief Web quotes Jan Duchoslav and Joachim De Weerdt (IFPRI Malawi) on the food security crisis in the country.

The post Tale of two villages: In Malawi, farmers point the way as drought drives hunger (WFP/AllAfrica/Relief Web) appeared first on IFPRI.

Location: Main Library- HV5840.M3B57 2004

Chatham House Prize: Malawi Judges Win for Election Work News Release NCapeling 23 October 2020

Malawi’s constitutional court judges have won the 2020 Chatham House Prize in recognition of their 'courage and independence in the defence of democracy'.

1 July 2020

Public Service, Accountability and Delivery in Malawi 17 October 2018 — 12:00PM TO 1:00PM Anonymous (not verified) 11 October 2018 Chatham House, London

OM Malawi endeavours to make its projects and workers self-sustainable, while transforming lives and communities at the same time.

Over an eight-day period, 18 Ride2Transform cyclists travelled 690 kilometers, participating in a personal journey with the Lord and praying for the country of Malawi.

[Nyasa Times] Malawians across the country are feeling the weight of soaring cooking oil prices, with many struggling to make ends meet as the cost of living continues to rise. Over the past month, the price of cooking oil has surged by an average of 12%, forcing consumers to dig deeper into their pockets to purchase essential household items.

ABSTRACTIntroduction:Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are effective and can be used safely at any age repeatedly within the same cycle. They are often favored by youth yet are underutilized. Private facilities can increase ECP access but present barriers including cost. Identifying effective public-sector ECP distribution models can help ensure equitable access. The Malawi Ministry of Health developed a strategy to improve ECP access in 2020. We documented ECP provision through select public, youth-serving channels recommended by the strategy: general and youth-specific outreach, paid and unpaid community health workers (CHWs), and youth clubs.Methods:We conducted this mixed methods study from November 2022–March 2023 in 2 rural districts (Mchinji and Phalombe) implementing the strategy. We conducted qualitative interviews with 10 national stakeholders, 46 providers, and 24 clients aged 15–24 years about ECP service delivery. Additionally, 25 providers collected quantitative tally data about clients seeking ECPs. We analyzed qualitative data using grounded theory and quantitative data descriptively.Results:Stakeholders and providers reported ECP uptake increased in geographies where the strategy was implemented, especially among youth. Providers documented 3,988 client visits for ECPs over 3 months. Of these visits, 26% were from male clients, 36% were from clients aged younger than 20 years, and 64% received ECPs for the first time. Across channels, youth club leaders and unpaid CHWs reported the most client visits per provider and served the youngest clients. However, no ECPs were dispensed during 29% of visits due to stock-outs. While many providers were supportive of youth accessing ECPs, most held unfavorable attitudes toward repeat use.Conclusion:ECP access should be expanded through provision in the studied channels, especially youth clubs and CHWs. However, to meet demand, the supply chain must be strengthened. We recommend addressing providers’ attitudes about repeat use to ensure informed method choice.

The government of Malawi has received a donation of various medical supplies, including drugs, valued at (Dollor) 9 million, from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to aid the country's public hospitals.

IWMI is the lead implementer of Ukama Ustawi which is working to foster youth agripreneurship in Malawi.

The post Cultivating Success: Overcoming challenges to boost youth engagement in agripreneurship in Malawi first appeared on International Water Management Institute (IWMI).

National Bureau of Economic Research

BLANTYRE, Malawi (AP) — Malawi’s Supreme Court confirmed Friday that last year’s presidential elections remain nullified and a fresh vote held in July. The Supreme Court upheld an earlier ruling by the southern African nation’s Constitutional Court that President Peter Mutharika’s 2019 election was invalid because of widespread irregularities. Mutharika, who leads the Democratic Progressive […]

Last month, the government of Malawi tried to impose a lockdown, but was knocked back by the courts.

These two days we traveled over 1000 km along the Tanzam HIghway finally crossing the border into Malawi in the afternoon of the second day. Here are some of the impressions from our travelsThe Tanzam Highway is paved but that doesn't necessarily m

Siobhan Mulholland, a self-conscious teenager, found a five-day hike exhilarating and memorable – 'for reasons both universal and particular'

Malawi announces cash handouts for the poorest, after the courts blocked the proposed lockdown.

A chronology of key events

Key facts, figures and dates

The Amateur Traveler talks to Joseph about his recent trip to Malawi in Southern Africa. Malawi is not know for its game parks like other countries in the region for for the relaxing shores of Lake Malawi as well as the lush green highlights. It is a country heavily influenced by David Livingstone and the Scottish Presbyterian church and one benefit of this legacy is welcoming church guest houses to stay in. So join Joseph and I as we talk about the people, the politics and the minibuses of Malawi.

OM Malawi endeavours to make its projects and workers self-sustainable, while transforming lives and communities at the same time.

Over an eight-day period, 18 Ride2Transform cyclists travelled 690 kilometers, participating in a personal journey with the Lord and praying for the country of Malawi.

There is evidence from both developed and developing countries that antiretroviral treatment significantly reduces mortality in HIV-infected children. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, numerous health system, financial, and human resource obstacles make delivering quality pediatric HIV care a challenge.

We describe the experience of the Baylor International Pediatrics AIDS Initiative in Malawi, Lesotho, and Swaziland. Despite challenges delivering pediatric treatment in these countries, mortality and clinical outcomes approaching those from developed countries are feasible. (Read the full article)

Download logo New Cases: 13 Total Confirmed Cases: 56 Total Active Cases: 39 Total Recovered: 14...

President Peter Mutharika, whose win in last year's vote was challenged, had appealed the re-run, which is now to be held July 2

[Nyasa Times] Malawi opposition supporters erupted into wild scenes of celebrations on Friday after the Supreme Court on Friday in a unanimous decision upheld an earlier constitutional court ruling that declared President Peter Mutharika was "not duly elected" in a disputed 2019 vote.

LILONGWE: Malawi´s top appeals court on Friday rejected President Peter Mutharika´s bid to scrap the annulment of controversial elections last May which he narrowly won, paving the way for a rerun in July. Mutharika had appealed a landmark decision by the Constitutional Court to...

LILONGWE, Malawi: Malawi’s top appeals court on Friday rejected President Peter Mutharika’s bid to scrap the annulment of controversial elections last May which he narrowly won, paving the way for a rerun in July.Mutharika had appealed a landmark decision by the Constitutional Court to...

ABSTRACTBackground:The focused assessment with sonography for HIV-associated tuberculosis (TB) (FASH) ultrasound protocol has been increasingly used to help clinicians diagnose TB. We sought to quantify the diagnostic utility of FASH for TB among individuals with HIV in Malawi.Methods:Between March 2016 and August 2017, 210 adults with HIV who had 2 or more signs and symptoms that were concerning for TB (fever, cough, night sweats, weight loss) were enrolled from a public HIV clinic in Lilongwe, Malawi. The treating clinicians conducted a history, physical exam, FASH protocol, and additional TB evaluation (laboratory diagnostics and chest radiography) on all participants. The clinician made a final treatment decision based on all available information. At the 6-month follow-up visit, we categorized participants based on clinical outcomes and diagnostic tests as having probable/confirmed TB or unlikely TB; association of FASH with probable/confirmed TB was calculated using Fisher's exact tests. The impact of FASH on empiric TB treatment was determined by asking the clinicians prospectively about whether they would start treatment at 2 time points in the baseline visit: (1) after the initial history and physical exam; and (2) after history, physical exam, and FASH protocol.Results:A total of 181 participants underwent final analysis, of whom 56 were categorized as probable/confirmed TB and 125 were categorized as unlikely TB. The FASH protocol was positive in 71% (40/56) of participants with probable/confirmed TB compared to 24% (30/125) of participants with unlikely TB (odds ratio=7.9, 95% confidence interval=3.9,16.1; P<.001). Among those classified as confirmed/probable TB, FASH increased the likelihood of empiric TB treatment before obtaining any other diagnostic studies from 9% (5/56) to 46% (26/56) at the point-of-care. For those classified as unlikely TB, FASH increased the likelihood of empiric treatment from 2% to 4%.Conclusion:In the setting of HIV coinfection in Malawi, FASH can be a helpful tool that augments the clinician's ability to make a timely diagnosis of TB.

ABSTRACTIntroduction:Multimonth dispensing (MMD) of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a differentiated model of care that can help overcome health system challenges and reduce the burden of HIV care on clients. Although 3-month dispensing has been the standard of care, interest has increased in extending refill intervals to 6 months. We explored client and provider experiences with MMD in Malawi as part of a cluster randomized trial evaluating 3- versus 6-month ART dispensing.Methods:Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 17 ART providers and 62 stable, adult clients with HIV on ART. Clients and providers were evenly divided by arm and were eligible for an interview if they had been participating in the study for 1 year (clients) or 6 months (providers). Questions focused on perceived challenges and benefits of the 3- or 6-month amount of ART dispensing. Interviews were transcribed, and data were coded and analyzed using constant comparison.Results:Both clients and providers reported that the larger medication supply had benefits. Clients reported decreased costs due to less frequent travel to the clinic and increased time for income-generating activities. Clients in the 6-month dispensing arm reported a greater sense of personal freedom and normalcy. Providers felt that the 6-month dispensing interval reduced their workload. They also expressed concerned about clients' challenges with ART storage at home, but clients reported no storage problems. Although providers mentioned the potential risk of clients sharing the larger medication supply with family or friends, clients emphasized the value of ART and reported only rare, short-term sharing, mostly with their spouses. Providers mentioned clients' lack of motivation to seek care for illnesses that might occur between refill appointments.Conclusions:The 6-month ART dispensing arm was particularly beneficial to clients for decreased costs, increased time for income generation, and a greater sense of normalcy. Providers' concerns about storage, sharing, and return visits to the facility did not emerge in client interviews. Further data are needed on the feasibility of implementing a large-scale program with 6-month dispensing.

The Malawi Schools Permaculture Clubs, a recipient of the 2018 Lush Spring Prize, provides basic gardening kits and lesson packs to teachers in order to teach valuable agricultural skills.

Supporters of Malawi's opposition took to the streets of Blantyre on Wednesday as their presidential candidate presented nomination papers for the July re-run of last year's election. The outcome initially returned President Peter Mutharika to office, but the result was historically overturned in a landmark court ruling in February. Meanwhile in Burkina Faso, a young man has created a digital school so that students can keep taking classes on their smartphones during the lockdown. And finally, South Africa turns to virtual tourism as national parks stream their safaris online.

Internet Speed in Malawi decreased to 1308.79 KBps in the first quarter of 2017 from 1447.86 KBps in the fourth quarter of 2016. Internet Speed in Malawi averaged 825.29 KBps from 2007 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 1909.80 KBps in the fourth quarter of 2014 and a record low of 86.23 KBps in the third quarter of 2009. This page includes a chart with historical data for MalawiInternet Speed.

IP Addresses in Malawi decreased to 15425 IP in the first quarter of 2017 from 15502 IP in the fourth quarter of 2016. IP Addresses in Malawi averaged 6929.18 IP from 2007 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 15502 IP in the fourth quarter of 2016 and a record low of 1276 IP in the third quarter of 2007. This page includes a chart with historical data for MalawiIP Addresses.

Temperature in Malawi decreased to 25.56 celsius in December from 25.97 celsius in November of 2015. Temperature in Malawi averaged 21.45 celsius from 1850 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 26.17 celsius in November of 1957 and a record low of 15.83 celsius in July of 1907. This page includes a chart with historical data for Malawi Average Temperature.

Precipitation in Malawi increased to 206.07 mm in December from 33.71 mm in November of 2015. Precipitation in Malawi averaged 88.89 mm from 1901 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 368.62 mm in February of 1952 and a record low of 0 mm in August of 1978. This page includes a chart with historical data for Malawi Average Precipitation.

Military Expenditure in Malawi increased to 53.50 USD Million in 2018 from 47.40 USD Million in 2017. Military Expenditure in Malawi averaged 22.71 USD Million from 1968 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 64.30 USD Million in 2013 and a record low of 6 USD Million in 1969.

External Debt in Malawi increased to 1569794.22 MWK Million in 2018 from 1486661.76 MWK Million in 2017. External Debt in Malawi averaged 287479.95 MWK Million from 1984 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 1569794.22 MWK Million in 2018 and a record low of 980.60 MWK Million in 1984. This page provides - Malawi External Debt- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Deposit Interest Rate in Malawi decreased to 9.95 percent in the first quarter of 2017 from 11.41 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016. Deposit Interest Rate in Malawi averaged 15.43 percent from 1980 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 42 percent in the third quarter of 1995 and a record low of 3.50 percent in the first quarter of 2008. The Deposit Interest Rate is the average rate paid by commercial banks to individuals or corporations on deposits. This page includes a chart with historical data for Deposit Interest Rate in Malawi.

Gold Reserves in Malawi remained unchanged at 0.40 Tonnes in the second quarter of 2019 from 0.40 Tonnes in the first quarter of 2019. Gold Reserves are country’s gold assets held or controlled by the central bank. This page provides - Malawi Gold Reserves - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Malawi recorded a Current Account deficit of 14.70 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2018. Current Account to GDP in Malawi averaged -12.79 percent from 1977 until 2018, reaching an all time high of -0.25 percent in 1998 and a record low of -27.60 percent in 2013. The Current account balance as a percent of GDP provides an indication on the level of international competitiveness of a country. Usually, countries recording a strong current account surplus have an economy heavily dependent on exports revenues, with high savings ratings but weak domestic demand. On the other hand, countries recording a current account deficit have strong imports, a low saving rates and high personal consumption rates as a percentage of disposable incomes. This page provides - Malawi Current Account to GDP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.