Project

Mainstreaming Gender Equality in Malawi's Cultural and Creative Sector

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Musical Performance by a female artist during Art in the Park Festival

Overview

Funds Allocated: 99,980 USD

Period: 01/04/2024 to 01/03/2026

Beneficiary countries: Malawi

Applicant: Department of Arts, Ministry of Local Government of Malawi (Party)

Presentation

The project seeks to increase the participation and representation of women in leadership, decision-making and artistic roles to foster diversity and inclusion within Malawi’s cultural and creative industries.

To promote gender equality, the project addresses four strategic areas:

  1. Strengthening institutional capacity to integrate gender equality in the sector.
  2. Empowering women creatives to expand their presence and impact within the industry.
  3. Identifying barriers hindering women’s participation in cultural and creative spaces to propose enhanced policy interventions.
  4. Reviewing national cultural policies and related strategies to ensure they actively promote gender equality.

In addition, the project features a media component, with special radio and television programs spotlighting prominent women creatives and thought leaders. The initiative is overseen by the Department of Arts within the Ministry of Local Government, Unity, and Culture.

How does this project contribute to the implementation of the 2005 Convention?

  • Strengthen networks and capacity: The project enhances professional networks and provides resources to strengthen institutional and individual capacities in the cultural sector.
  • Increase visibility for women creatives: Activities are designed to elevate women as creators and producers, raising awareness of their contributions to cultural diversity.
  • Support gender-focused initiatives: The project provides gender desk officers with laptops to assist their work in profiling and creating database.
  • Revise cultural policies: The project reviews Malawi’s cultural policies, measures and strategies to incorporate gender mainstreaming, ensuring they align with gender equality objectives.
  • Inform policymakers: Findings from the project will shape policies aimed at reducing barriers and promoting gender equity in the sector.

Main activities

  • Mapping of women’s roles: Conduct a study to document women’s contributions to Malawi’s cultural sector and organize a national conference to discuss women’s active participation in the cultural and creative spaces.
  • Training: Organize workshops to empower women artists in areas such as resource mobilization, production, distribution and remuneration.
  • Digital platform: Create online spaces to showcase the work of women creatives from Malawi.
  • Policy development: Produce a position paper and a rapporteur’s report based on outcomes from .