Irish funding has made space for women in Malawi 

We cannot allow conflict and cutbacks to reverse 20 years of fighting gender-based violence and discrimination for women, writes Alice Kachere

A female farmer in Malawi. Malawi’s National Action Plan on Women's Economic Empowerment (2025–2030) has seen positive results with microfinance and vocational training improving livelihoods. 

In my lifetime I have witnessed a dramatic improvement in gender-based violence in Malawi. The past 20 years has seen many positive changes. 

I live in rural Kalumbu in the Lilongwe District, and work as a maize seed grower. My community is heavily patriarchal, with some traditional norms still prevalent that are harmful to women and girls but even here, we now have female chiefs and women chairing community committees. Women can aspire and work towards leadership and decision-making positions.