Malawi: Safe spaces nurture drought-affected women and girls
By Milka Ndungu
"I am happy I was able to return to school after giving birth," said Thokozani, 20, from Balaka district, southern Malawi.
Thokozani dropped out of high school when she became pregnant, fearing stigma and social judgment.
After giving birth, she and her child found refuge and a community of teenage mothers at a safe space in her village, supported by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). With her mentor’s encouragement, Thokozani decided to return to school, and she is now preparing for her final secondary exams. She and her baby live with and rely on her parents – both farmers – who struggle to make ends meet after multiple failed harvests.
In recent years, Malawi has endured consecutive humanitarian crises, largely driven by extreme weather events. Last year it was among the southern African countries hit by an El Niño-induced drought, which came while some communities were still recovering from the devastating Cyclone Freddy (2022) and Cyclone Idai (2019).
A combination of these factors worsened food insecurity, displaced communities and disrupted access to essential services. People’s vulnerabilities deepened, and the incidence of violence, particularly against women and girls, increased. The number of people in need of humanitarian assistance surged from 5.9 million in 2023 to 6.1 million in 2024.
Nurturing spaces
The UNFPA-supported safe spaces help girls and young women age 15 to 24 by providing essential knowledge on gender-based violence and other harmful practices. They also offer psychosocial support, recreational activities and vocational training. Thokozani learned irrigation farming skills that helped her to grow vegetables to sell, and she saved money to return to school.
“Joining this group gave me hope to pursue my dreams,” she said. “I want to build a better future for my child.”
The women and girls also learn about climate-smart agriculture. Flora Mafken, a group member, was the first to learn how to make organic fertilizer using livestock manure.
“I was curious… Now, I teach others,” she said.
Commercial fertilizer costs around US$60 per 50 kg, which is beyond most people’s reach. This makes organic alternatives a game-changer.
Community champions in action
In Malawi, one in three women experiences violence, and 42 per cent of girls are married before age 18, according to UN Women.
To improve these statistics, men such as Ephraim Kamtedza, achampion for women’s rights and a social worker in safe spaces, are stepping up. Trained in psychosocial support and the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, Ephraim helps survivors navigate safe referral systems and provides mentorship.
“Through this project we have addressed many cases of sexual exploitation and abuse linked to the impact of the drought,” said Ephraim. “As a male social worker, I see the importance of empowering adolescent girls and young women with knowledge and skills to protect themselves. By doing so, we can raise an empowered and informed future generation while also setting an example of men who support and respect women."
Strengthening resilience through savings
Safe spaces also inspire long-term solutions. In Balaka, young women formed village savings and loan groups to avoid poverty, especially during droughts. Each member contributes monthly to a pooled fund, allowing access to small loans for family support, small businesses or education expenses.
Catherine Biziweck, a mentor, shares how one girl took out a loan of 20,000 Malawi kwacha (about $12) to help her parents buy food and pay her school fees. “Today, she is in grade six,” said Catherine. “Even small contributions matter. Being in the group enables members to access funds to start businesses, helping them become more independent during tough times.”
Last year, at least 194 safe spaces across Malawi helped support and encourage more than 1,000 girls and young mothers, and the UN and partners reached 2.4 million people with assistance. The top donors were the United States, the United Kingdom, the OCHA-managed Central Emergency Response Fund and the European Commission. But the recent and severe funding cuts mean the future is uncertain for people affected by crisis.
To support humanitarian operations in Malawi, donate here.