Women Empowerment

Programme
END OF PROGRAMME EVALUATION (2017-2021)

MALAWI COUNTRY OFFICE

October 2021

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Report Details
Report Title
‘End of Programme Evaluation for the Women Empowerment Programme (2017-2021)’
Contracting Authority
UN Women Malawi Country Office
Consultants/Lead Evaluator
Hope Msosa
Disclaimer
The content of this report is the sole responsibility of the Consultant and can in no way be
taken to reflect the views of the Contracting Authority or its Partners.
Quality Control and Certification
The content of this report have been proofread and controlled for quality against the
Terms of Reference for the assignment.

Recommended Citation
UN Women Malawi, 2021, ‘End of Programme Evaluation for the Women Empowerment
Programme (2017-2021)’, Malawi Country Office, Lilongwe.

Acknowledgements
The evaluator is grateful to all the stakeholders who participated in developing the evaluation
methodology, participated in discussions, and provided feedback on evaluation issues that
have been addressed in this report. Special thanks to the Country Representative; Evaluation
Manager; staff at UN Women Malawi Country Office; UN Women Regional Office Evaluation
team; the evaluation reference group, as well as participants in the evaluation for providing
the needed guidance and responses throughout the assignment. They were actively
engaged throughout the process, and provided key insights to help focus the questions and
analysis to make it contextually grounded and useful.

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Contents

Report Details ....................................................................................................................................... 2

Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................ 2
Contents ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Table contents and figures ................................................................................................................. 4
Acronyms .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................. 7
Introduction & Background Information ........................................................................................ 13
Introduction for the report ............................................................................................................ 14
Programme description ................................................................................................................ 14
Programme overview ................................................................................................................ 14
Programme theory of change ................................................................................................. 15
Programme implementation arrangements .......................................................................... 17
Context of the programme .......................................................................................................... 18
Evaluation objectives, approach & methodology ....................................................................... 21
Purpose and objectives of the evaluation ................................................................................. 22
Scope of the evaluation ............................................................................................................... 22
Evaluation theoretical & guiding framework ............................................................................. 23
Evaluation approach .................................................................................................................... 24
Sampling design ............................................................................................................................. 24
Sampling methods and size ......................................................................................................... 25
Data collection and analysis methods ....................................................................................... 25
Ethical, gender and human rights considerations .................................................................... 26
Evaluation limitations ..................................................................................................................... 27
Evaluation findings............................................................................................................................. 28
Programme relevance .................................................................................................................. 29
Programme effectiveness............................................................................................................. 35
Programme efficiency .................................................................................................................. 53
Programme coherence ................................................................................................................ 55
Programme impact ....................................................................................................................... 57
Programme sustainability .............................................................................................................. 59
Gender and human rights considerations ................................................................................. 61
Conclusions ........................................................................................................................................ 64
recommendations and lessons learnt............................................................................................. 64
Conclusions..................................................................................................................................... 65
Recommendations ........................................................................................................................ 68
Key lessons learnt ........................................................................................................................... 72
Annexes .............................................................................................................................................. 73
Annex 1: Terms of Reference ....................................................................................................... 74
Annex 2: List of evaluation participants ...................................................................................... 80
Annex 3: List of documents and websites consulted ................................................................ 86

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 Annex 4: WEP theory of change and result framework............................................................ 88
Annex 5: Evaluation matrix ........................................................................................................... 89
Annex 8: Selected case stories .................................................................................................... 94
Annex 9: Selected data collection tools .................................................................................... 99
Annex 10: Lead evaluator profile .............................................................................................. 118

Table contents and figures

Table 1: Key programme implementing partners and stakeholders .......................................... 17
Table 2: Evaluation coverage by district, thematic areas, implementing partners ................. 22
Table 3: Progress on output targets on the gender and governance thematic area* ........... 37
Table 4: Progress on women economic empowerment output indicators* ............................. 38
Table 5: Progress on women economic empowerment output indicators* ............................. 40
Table 6: Progress on output targets under elimination of violence against women and girls
thematic area* .................................................................................................................................. 41
Table 7: Progress on gender and governance outcome targets* ............................................. 42
Table 8: Progress on outcome targets under the women economic empowerment
component* ....................................................................................................................................... 44
Table 9: Progress on outcome indicators on the elimination of violence against women and
girls ....................................................................................................................................................... 51

Figure 1: Programme result chain and theory of change ............................................................ 16

Figure 2: Sampling design illustration............................................................................................... 25
Figure 3: Programme budgetary allocations on management, monitoring, activity
implementation* ................................................................................................................................ 55

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Acronyms
AU African Union
ADC Area Development Committee
CBO Community Based Organisation
CCJP Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace
CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
CSO Civil Society Organisation
DAC Development Assistance Committee
DHRMD Department of Human Resource Management and Development
EU European Union
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization
FGD Focus Group Discussions
FIDP Farm Input Diversification Program
FISP Farm Input Subsidy Programme
GBG Gender-based Governance
GEWE Gender Equality and Women Empowerment
GERAAS Global Evaluation Report Assessment and Analysis System
GRB Gender Responsive Budgeting
GTWG Gender Technical Working Groups
MACOHA Malawi Council for the Handicapped
MANASO Malawi Network of Aids Organizations
MDGs Millennium Development Goals
MEJN Malawi Economic Justice Network
MFI Micro-Finance Institutions
MGDS Malawi Growth and Development Strategy
MHEN Malawi Health Equity Network
NAPWEE National Action Plan on Women Economic Empowerment
NGO GCN NGO Gender Coordinating Network
NGO Non-governmental organization
NOK Norwegian Krone
NSO National Statistics Office
OSISA Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa
RNE Royal Norwegian Embassy
SADC Southern Africa Development Community
SAPP Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme
SDGs Sustainable Development Goals
SWG Sector Working Group
TOR Terms of Reference
UN Women United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women
UN United Nations
UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund
UNDAF United Nations Development Assistance Framework

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UNDP United Nations Development Programme
UNEG United Nations Evaluation Group
UNFPA United Nations Population Fund
USAID United State Agency for International Development
VSU Victim Support Unit
WEE Women Economic Empowerment
WEP Women Empowerment Programme
WILSA Women in Law in Southern Africa

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Executive Summary
Introduction
This report presents evaluation findings of the Women Empowerment Programme (WEP). The
programme was implemented from 2017 to 2021 by UN Women Malawi Country Office with
funding from the Royal Norwegian Embassy (RNE) at a cost of 27 million Norwegian Kroner
(NOK) (or USD 2,749,938.69). The programme aimed at ensuring that women and girls enjoy
their full rights and positively contribute and benefit from social, economic, and political
developments by the year 2021. It targeted to reach over 25,000 women, men, boys and girls
in Malawi. It consisted of three thematic components namely, gender and governance;
women and youth empowerment through enterprise development; and elimination of
violence against women and girls.
The evaluation was undertaken as part of accountability, learning and decision-making on
the design of future similar programmes. The specific objective of the evaluation was to
assess programmatic progress towards the achievement of project outputs and outcomes;
and generate recommendations that support future programming. It is meant to support
programme monitoring reports in generating substantial evidence on results achieved, as
well as to identifying lessons learned which will support future programmes.
The evaluation was commissioned and managed by the UN Women Malawi Country Office
and was conducted by an external independent evaluator between September 2021 and
October 2021. The targeted users of the report are UN Women Malawi Country Office, RNE,
key programme implementing partners; Government of Malawi; UN Women Regional Office,
as well as other key stakeholders in Malawi’s national gender machinery.
Evaluation approach and methodology
The evaluation largely applied a theory-based approach; guided by the programmes theory
of change. Further, the evaluation adopted a gender responsive and human rights based
approach in its design, tools and execution and ensured principles of empowerment,
participation of stakeholders, and inclusiveness are mainstreamed. The evaluation was
mainly qualitative in nature, building on the design developed during the midterm review of
the programme. In total the evaluation reached out to 182 stakeholders and beneficiaries
(93 females and 89 males). The evaluation conducted 18 focus group discussions; 51 Key
informant interviews; 21 individual case study interviews. The stakeholders and beneficiaries
interviewed were both at national level and in all the six districts where the programme was
implemented. Limitations included unavailability of staff due to turnovers and transfers in
organizations, institutions which were programme stakeholders and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, the evaluation was unable to decipher unintended results due to limitations in
data programme monitoring reports.
Major evaluation findings
a) On relevance, the evaluation finds that the WEP programme was strongly aligned to
the needs and priorities of the target beneficiaries; national policy priorities as well as
international policy frameworks. These include the Constitution of the Republic of
Malawi, especially Sections 13 and 24; Gender Equality Act of 2013; MGDS III; National
Gender Policy; CEDAW Article 5 and Goal 5.2 of the SDGs. However, the evaluation

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 also notes that the programme would have aligned much more to the needs of
beneficiaries if an objective needs analysis was undertaken, especially for the women
economic empowerment component.
b) Regarding effectiveness, the evaluation finds that the WEP programme achieved
most of the planned outputs and outcomes under each of the thematic areas. Under
the gender and governance component, the programme managed to work with
government to monitor implementation of treaty body (i.e. CEDAW, SADC Protocol)
recommendations; the programme also worked with the National Statistical Office to
produce a gender thematic area from the 2018 Malawi Population and Housing
Census; strengthened the capacity of local structures such Village Development
Committees to monitor district level plans and budgets from a gender lens.
c) Under the economic empowerment component, the programme managed to
engage the Reserve Bank of Malawi and private banking institutions on inclusive
banking policies; trained over 42 cooperatives (comprising mostly of women) in
business management, entrepreneurship, marketing and branding; provided
vocational skills training to 181 marginalized women and youths (36% being those with
varying disabilities). All the beneficiaries interviewed during the evaluation expressed
satisfaction of the support received – most noting that the knowledge and skills
obtained will be useful in improving their livelihoods.
d) Under the elimination of violence against women and girls, the programme
contributed to addressing and challenging social norms which perpetuate violence;
especially through the use of ‘male champions’, HeforShe champions, local structures
such as community bases organizations; as well as school authorities and students. The
programme managed to undertake a national perception study on prevailing social
norms around violence against women and girls. The study has been useful in
informing policy debates and programmes on eliminating violence against women
and girls.
e) On efficiency, the programme structure enabled close working relationship between
UN Women Country Office, government, implementing partners leading to better
technical and financial accountability of programme results. Overall the relationship
between inputs and outputs was timely and met expected standards. Further,
programme resources were managed well. Overall expenditures was within what was
approved and agreed. Allocation of resources was done most strategically and with
sustainability in mind. The programme responded to emerging risks – close five percent
of the last tranche of funding was allocated towards COVID-19 response as part of
mitigating risks.
f) On coherence, the programme was compatible with the UN Women global strategic
plan; directly contributed to achievement outcomes two, three and four of the global
strategic plan. The programme also supported implementation of programmes and
projects implemented under the United Nations Development Assistance Framework
(UNDAF) and those implemented by other stakeholders within the gender sector.
g) In terms of impact, the evaluation finds that the programme has made an important
contribution towards its ultimate goal of ensuring that women and girls enjoy their full
rights and positively contribute to, and benefit from social, economic, and political
developments. The evaluation also finds that the programme contributed to
strengthening accountability mechanisms on gender equality and human rights by
supporting government (duty bearers) to follow-up on commitments as well as
building the capacity of citizens (rights holders). In view of the same, the evaluation
finds that the benefits are likely to continue owing to the fact that it was strongly

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 implemented and aligning to existing national structures (at national and local levels)
as well as non-governmental partners and the evaluation finds that these are potential
accountability and oversight safeguards.
h) Lastly, the evaluation finds that there is evidence that gender and human rights were
integrated into the programme. Further, the evaluation finds limited evidence to
demonstrate that programme beneficiaries i.e. women and other vulnerable groups
such as people with disabilities were fully consulted when coming up with the
programme; let alone fully engaging them to inform programme implementation as
active participants. In addition, the programme contributed to addressing the root
causes of gender inequality and changing the dynamics of power relations; albeit,
challenging social norms require more sustained interventions for meaningful results.
Major evaluation conclusions
a) The programme was aligned to the needs of beneficiaries across all the three
thematic areas as well as key normative frameworks such as CEDAW, SDGs, MGDS III
as well as the national gender policy. This demonstrates commitment by UN Women
Malawi to ensure that country programmes directly tackles challenges women face
in the country. It is also a demonstration of commitment to ensure key gender
commitments are implemented to uplift the lives of women in Malawi. While this is the
case, more stakeholder and beneficiary consultations would have strengthened
programme interventions in meeting the needs of women and girls.
b) Overall, all the three thematic areas achieved output and outcomes targets that were
set despite the challenging context in which the programme was implemented. In
2019 and 2020, the environment in Malawi was characterized by post-elections
disputes as well as the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic; and all these provided a
difficult context to deliver programme interventions. Notwithstanding, achievements
were recorded due to a number of reasons some of which include the choice of
implementing partners, previous and other interventions made as largely the
programme built on and complimented similar interventions implemented by UN
Women, Government of Malawi and other local and international organizations. For
programmes like the one being evaluated, whose implementation period was rather
short, it is important that they build on previous similar interventions or complement
existing interventions in order to register meaningful results.
c) Overall, the programme was efficient owing to a well thought-through programme
management structure as well as robust monitoring mechanism put in place. Each
thematic component was led by specialists which coordinated directly with
implementing partners to provide technical support; at the same time the specialist
led in implementation of activities in liaison with government. Monitoring mechanism
that were put in place enabled a close follow-up of activities and as such most
interventions were implemented on time, with the exception of interventions that were
shifted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The evaluation also concludes that the
programme used the resources well; with a good chunk of the budget allocated for
activity implementation.
d) The programme was UN Women Malawi’s flagship programme and other
interventions complemented it well with clear synergies and interlinkages. The
programme was in line with the UN Women global strategic plan and equally
complemented other interventions implemented within UNDAF for Malawi. These
synergies ensured that there were no duplication of programmes or projects.

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 e) Overall, the results of the programme are likely to contribute towards improving the
socio-economic status of women. The programme did not only work with duty bearers
but also rights holders. With duty bearers the programme ensured capacity is built to
deliver and monitor gender equality commitments. This is very key in the longer term
when it comes to ensuring women and girls enjoy their rights in full. The programme
also supported women and girls directly with knowledge and skills to improve their
livelihoods.
f) The results of the programme are likely to continue owing to the broader approach
undertaken when implementing activities. The programme worked through the
Ministry of Gender, as a lead institution in the national gender machinery and the
Ministry of Agriculture, among others, to ensure national ownership of the interventions.
The programme also worked with six local non-governmental organizations to directly
implement activities. This approach has the potential to sustain programme benefits
overtime.
g) The programme took into account gender and human rights in both the design and
implementation. It worked with duty bearers to build their capacity to meet
obligations on gender and human rights. The programme also worked directly with
rights holders, especially those that are economically marginalized and have varying
disabilities. This was vital as progress towards gender equality require not only in laws
and policies but also changes within the family, culture, politics and the economy.

Evaluation recommendations
a) Programming should continue aligning to both national and international normative
instruments as part of enhancing country efforts to fulfill commitments therein.
However, when designing such similar programmes, there is need to include needs
assessment exercises beyond secondary literature reviews to specifically isolate areas
of intervention – and also to avoid thinly spreading interventions. Responsible: UN
Women. Priority: Priority: High. Time: Immediate. Level of difficulty: Low.
b) Future programme interventions should build on the gains made under the current
programme; especially targeting strengthening gender accountability mechanisms
at both national and local levels. Following up on government commitments
expressed in key normative frameworks should continue – and more public
dissemination of how government is doing on such commitments is required.
Responsible: UN Women; Ministry of Gender. Priority: Priority: High. Time: Immediate.
Level of difficulty: Medium.
c) Further, there is need for sustained efforts on the support provided to help women
assume leadership positions. For example, after elections, follow-up activities should
follow to build on gains made. It becomes haphazard to only support women aspirants
when elections are very close. Responsible: UN Women; Ministry of Gender. Priority:
Priority: High. Time: Immediate. Level of difficulty: Medium.
d) Continue lobbying and advocating for inclusive financial capital services; beyond the
financial inclusion policy, further programming should push for implementation of
provisions in the drafted policy. Equally, there is need to develop more partnerships
with the private sector when it comes to women economic empowerment
interventions. Women expressed lack of profitable markets and such partnerships
would help. There are several women groups or cooperatives, and UN Women should
design further programmes to build their capacity and facilitate both market and

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 capital opportunities. Responsible: UN Women; Ministry of Gender, Ministry of Finance
and UNDP. Priority: Priority: High. Time: Immediate. Level of difficulty: Medium.
e) Future programming should continue championing innovation in eliminating violence
against women and girls. The programme’s use of traditional leaders and structures
and male champions are such innovations should need to continue, especially in the
context of Malawi where traditional leaders are considered custodians of traditional
social and cultural norms. Responsible: UN Women; Ministry of Gender. Priority: Priority:
High. Time: Immediate. Level of difficulty: High.
f) Continue investing in capacity building for UN Women Staff, CSOs partners and
Government stakeholders in gender project management, results-based project
management, monitoring and reporting. Responsible: UN Women. Priority: Priority:
High. Time: Immediate. Level of difficulty: Low.
g) Continue ensuring programming is aligned to UN Women global strategic plan,
UNDAF; as well as alignment with other UN agency programmes to ensure sustained
gains and avoiding duplications. Responsible: UN Women. Priority: Priority: High. Time:
Immediate. Level of difficulty: Low.
h) For the benefits of the programme to be sustained; future programmes should isolate
best practices (taking into account UN Women Malawi comparative advantage) for
continuation. Strengthening accountability mechanisms should continue. Pushing for
inclusion market and financial opportunities for women groups should continue, and
work through partners on the same. Programming on elimination of violence should
also continue, building on innovations made such as engagement of traditional
structures, male champions, and working with children and young people in schools.
Responsible: UN Women, Ministry of Gender. Priority: Priority: High. Time: Immediate.
Level of difficulty: Medium.
i) Working with and through national structures should also continue for sustainability of
results; and that proper exit strategies should be put in place for such programmes.
Well thought-through exit strategies should take into account how benefits realized
could be continued. Responsible: UN Women, Ministry of Gender. Priority: Priority: High.
Time: Immediate. Level of difficulty: Medium.
j) There is also need for putting aside resources for national as well as district level
dissemination of results, lessons learnt as part of scaling up efforts on gender equality
in the country. Responsible: UN Women, Ministry of Gender. Priority: Priority: High. Time:
Immediate. Level of difficulty: Medium.
k) Programmes of this nature need to be longer than this was – beneficiaries and
stakeholders in the districts felt the programme appeared abrupt. Responsible: UN
Women, Ministry of Gender. Priority: Priority: High. Time: Immediate. Level of difficulty:
Low.
l) Programming of this nature should establish and build-in robust mechanisms for
beneficiary participation. There has to be room where beneficiaries provide input into
programming through well-spaced feedback-loops in addition to the mid-term and
end-term evaluations. UN Women, Ministry of Gender. Priority: Priority: High. Time:
Immediate. Level of difficulty: Low.
Key lessons learnt
a) The selection of implementing partners under each of the thematic areas was more
strategic and effective. The partners that were selected to support programme
implementation have good experience and expertise in their respective areas of

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 work. This contributed substantially to the achievement of the results given the short
programme implementation period.
b) Strong partner involvement at design phase of the programme would have provided
a platform for improved engagement between UN Women and implementing
partners; thereby increasing more ownership of the programme.
c) In the spirit of decentralization and bringing ‘development’ closer to rights holders,
working more with local/district councils would have made the programme
comprehensive. Stakeholders at local council level (especially the Gender Office;
Social Welfare Office) observed that they needed a lot of technical backstopping
(through continuous mentorship and orientation) during the programme to ensure
that the results are entrenched; and that they easily fulfill their mandate as immediate
duty bearer institutions for women and girls.
d) A clear programme exit strategy would have helped sustain the benefits and results
of the programme. The strategy would have provided for immediate and future
programme synergies with other organizations implementing gender equality
initiatives. Most stakeholders felt the programme was largely ‘one-off’ and could not
link it with any further interventions supporting the national gender machinery.
e) The COVID-19 has shown the importance of digital literacy adapting and
mainstreaming virtual forms of programme delivery during the emergency setting (e.g.
EVAW IP shared google drive, EVAW IP WhatsApp Group) is key for sustained
implementation of programs.

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 Introduction
&
Background
Information

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Introduction for the report
This report presents evaluation findings of the Women Empowerment Programme (WEP). The
programme was implemented from 2017 to 2021 by UN Women Malawi Country Office with
funding from the Royal Norwegian Embassy (RNE) at a cost of 27 million Norwegian Kroner
(NOK) or USD2,749,938.69. The evaluation was commissioned and managed by the UN
Women Malawi Country Office and was conducted by an external independent evaluator
between September 2021 and October 2021. The report is presented in six sections as follows:
introduction and background information; evaluation objectives, approach and
methodology; evaluation findings; evaluation conclusions; evaluation recommendations;
and lessons learnt. The targeted users of the report are UN Women Malawi Country Office,
key programme implementing partners; Government of Malawi; UN Women Regional Office,
as well as other key stakeholders in Malawi’s national gender machinery.
Programme description
Programme overview
As earlier indicated, UN Women Malawi Country Office implemented WEP from 2017 to 2021.
The programme was financed by the Royal Norwegian Embassy (RNE) in Malawi to a tune of
NOK 27 million. The programme aimed at ensuring that women and girls enjoy their full rights
and positively contribute to, and benefit from social, economic, and political developments
by the year 2021. It targeted over 25,000 women, men, boys and girls in Malawi. The
programme had three thematic components namely: gender and governance; women and
youth empowerment through enterprise development; and elimination of violence against
women and girls.
Under the gender and governance thematic area, the programme aimed to enhance
implementation of key legal instrument on gender equality; promote participation of women
in decision making positions and processes; formulation of gender responsive plans and
budgets; as well as use of gender statistics to inform policy and decision making. The thematic
area is aligned to the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) Pillar 1,
namely, peace, inclusion, and effective institutions; and to UN Women Flagship Programme
initiatives on supporting women to lead in decision making and on ensuring that national and
local plans and budgets are gender responsive.
Under the women and youth empowerment thematic component, the programme targeted
to enhance the capacity of women to access financing and invest in climate smart
agriculture; improve their enterprise development; and increase their access to secure and
productive resources, including markets and value-added activities. The thematic area is
aligned to the UN Women Flagship Programme 2 on Women’s Economic Empowerment.
The thematic component on eliminating violence against women and girls focused on
addressing contributing factors related to social norms, attitudes and behaviours at
community and individual levels. It is aligned to SDG 5 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development and Agenda 2063 and the UN Women Flagship Programme Initiative 3 on
prevention and access to essential services to end violence against women. The thematic
area has one outcome, namely social norms, attitudes and practices hindering women and
girls’ rights are transformed at individual and community levels.

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Programme theory of change
The programme was largely informed by the UN Women overall country programme theory
of change which is articulated in the Strategic Note, 2014-2017. During the evaluation, a
theory of change was reconstructed, based on the programme problem analysis and result
chain. The programme result chain highlights the overall impact goal, intermediate goals,
outcomes, outputs and activities.
As earlier stated, the programme aimed at ensuring women and girls enjoy their full rights and
positively contribute to, and benefit from, socio-economic and political development in
Malawi. The programme assumed that this can be achieved through addressing three types
of challenges: a) governance related challenges; b) women empowerment related
challenges; c) violence against women and girls related challenges. The programme
document points out that the first challenge results from weak institutional capacity at both
national and local levels in gender mainstreaming, coordination, implementation and
monitoring.
Further, according to the programme document, women empowerment is affected by
constraints related to limited access to credit, loans and other funding mechanisms; limited
access to information, services, and resources for economic empowerment; limited
participation in value chains and markets; limited access to inputs and extension services; as
well as effects of climate change on agricultural productivity. On the other hand, the third
challenge results from a deep rooted patriarchal culture which perpetuates violence against
women and girls and thereby affect women and girls contribution to their own and national
development agenda.
Based on the above, the programme theory of change could be summarized as follows:
If: Government capacity to put up and implement gender responsive policies, and is
accountable to its national and international obligations; barriers which hinder women to fully
participate in viable economic enterprises and markets are removed; and social cultural
norms which perpetuate gender inequalities and inequities are eliminated;
Then: Women and girls will enjoy their full rights and positively contribute to, and benefit from,
socio-economic and political development in Malawi.
Refer to Figure 1 overleaf for the programme result chain and theory of change.

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 Figure 1: Programme result chain and theory of change

Impact goal: Women and girls enjoy their full rights and positively contribute to, and benefit from, social economic and political
development in Malawi by the year 2020.

Thematic Area 1 Thematic Area 2 Thematic Area 3

Gender and Governance Women and youth economic Elimination of Violence against Women
empowerment and Girls

Outcome 1: Enhanced
implementation of national, regional, Outcome 1: Women’s capacities to Outcome 1: Social norms, attitudes and
and international normative and access financing to invest in Climate behaviors are promoted at community
policy frameworks Smart Agriculture, and enterprise and individual levels to prevent VAW
development are increased and other harmful cultural practices
Outcome 2: Women participate, lead,
and engage in decision making Outcome 2: Rural women and youths
processes in public institutions have increased access to secure and
productive resources, including
Outcome 3: Formulation of national markets and value-added activities
and local plans and budgets is gender
responsive and is informed by gender
statistics

Outcome 4: Gender statistics are

accessible to all users to inform policy,
advocacy, and programming

Thematic Area 1:

 Enhanced capacity of Gender machinery to monitor and report on progress in the implementation of national, regional and
international Gender Equality normative and policy frameworks
 Enhanced dialogue among the Gender machinery on implementation of Gender equality related national, regional and
international normative and policy
 The gender machinery has strengthened capacity to coordinate and implement the Gender agenda
 Increased capacity of women to engage in leadership
 Gender responsive planning, budgeting and accountability is institutionalized and promoted at local and national levels
 Strengthened capacity of CSO, government and other actors to use and analyses gender statistics to inform decision-making

Thematic Area 2:

 Gender gaps are identified to contribute to reforms in the public and private financial institutions policy and regulatory frameworks
to promote women and youth’s access to credit
 Development of specific financial services for women farmers, including through digital finance at local level with support from UN
Women
 Improved and targeted access to business management and financial training, peer to peer learning, and skills development
 Government institutions, and private sector support youths, and rural women farmers to sign contracts to secure more market
opportunities
 Women farmers’ access information, extension services, and capacities in branding, certification, marketing, and packaging are
strengthened
 The buyfromwomen platform is deployed to strengthen women and young entrepreneurs access to markets

Thematic Area 3:

 Women, girls, men and boys at community and individual levels are mobilized in favour of respective relationships and gender
equality
 Capacity of local institutions to gather and utilize evidence prevent negative social norms and to promote positive social norms,
attitudes and behaviours is strengthened
 Capacity of local actors including chiefs, religious leaders and Community Based Organizations is strengthened to prevent
negative social norms and other forms of discrimination.

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Programme implementation arrangements
The programme was implemented by the UN Women Malawi Country Office, in partnership
with the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare and six other local
non-governmental organizations. The project was implemented at both national and local
levels. At national level, major interventions were related to advocacy and capacity support
to relevant government ministries, departments and agencies.
At district level, the programme reached out to six of the 28 districts of Malawi i.e. Mangochi,
Salima, Dedza, Karonga, Mzimba and Mulanje. At district level, interventions included
awareness raising, advocacy and capacity support to district council and community level
structures. The interventions also included economic empowerment activities with vulnerable
women and young people. The table below highlights the key partners and stakeholders for
the programme.
Table 1: Key programme implementing partners and stakeholders

Name of Role on the programme

partner/stakeholders
WEP Implementing partners and grant recipients
Catholic Commission for Promotes awareness of human rights, justice and peace in the communities
Justice and Peace the Roman Catholic church serves. Under the programme it was an
implementing partner and grant recipient under the gender and
governance thematic area.
Women in Law in Southern It is a women's rights NGO that exists to advance women's socio-legal
Africa -Malawi development by conducting action research, training and advocacy
in Malawi. Under the programme it was an implementing partner and grant
recipient under the gender and governance thematic area.

Mhub Mhub is an innovation hub and incubator, a social enterprise that trains,
mentors, and incubates youth entrepreneurs in ICT and business skills. Under
the programme, it was an implementing partner and grant recipient under
the women empowerment thematic area; working in Karonga, Salima,
Dedza, Mzimba, Mangochi and Mulanje districts during the first phase and
later three districts of Karonga, Mangochi and Salima.
Malawi Council for the It is a quasi-governmental agency which works to help men and women
Handicapped with disabilities to be more independent, self-sufficient, and recognized as
equals within Malawian society; receiving the same educational and other
opportunities that exist for able-bodied people. Under the programme it was
an implementing partner and grant recipient under the women
empowerment thematic area; working in Salima and Dedza districts.
Malawi Girl Guide It is a local voluntary, non-political, non-religious and self-governing
Association institution whose mission is to enable girls and young women (3-25 years) to
develop socially, emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually, economically
and culturally so that they become responsible and useful citizens of Malawi.
Under the programme it was an implementing partner and grant recipient
under the elimination of violence against women and girls thematic area.
Malawi Network of Aids It is a local membership organization and works to improve the health status
Organization of Malawians, with a special focus on developing and supporting
community systems that aim to reduce the number of new HIV infections,
increase access to ART and support treatment adherence for people on HIV
treatment. Under the programme, it was an implementing partner and grant
recipient under the elimination of violence against women and girls
thematic area.
Key government ministries, agencies the programme actively interacted with

Page | 17
 Ministry of Gender, The Ministry leads the national gender machinery and is responsible to
Community Development deliver on the gender equality agenda and coordinate multi-stakeholder
and Social Welfare responses towards gender equality and women’s empowerment. Under the
programme, the ministry led in strategic policy direction, coordination and
national and local level mobilization of key stakeholders.

Ministry of Agriculture The Ministry leads in promoting and accelerating broad-based, sustainable
agricultural development policies that enhance economic growth and
contribute to poverty reduction. Under the programme, the ministry
provided policy and technical support on the women economic
empowerment thematic area.
Ministry of Finance The Ministry is mandated to formulate economic and fiscal policies that seek
to manage government financial and material resources; and provide
strategic guidance on economic and development planning. Under the
programme, the ministry provided policy and technical support on gender
responsive budgeting.
Ministry of Local The Ministry promotes and accelerates local governance, participatory
Government democracy thereby attaining socio-economic development and social
stability of the Councils. Under the programme, the ministry provided policy
guidance and technical support on the gender and governance thematic
areas.
Parliament of Malawi Legislative arm of the Government of Malawi - responsible for setting legal
instruments including scrutiny and approval of budgets and plans
National Statistical Office It is the main government department responsible for the collection and
dissemination of official statistics.
UN Agencies with similar complementary programmes
UNICEF Supports the Government of Malawi to implement programmes related to
elimination of violence against women and girls across the country.
FAO Support the Government of Malawi to implement programmes to improve
agricultural productivity to ensure food security.
UNDP Supports the Government of Malawi to use development resources
effectively and accountably to achieve the objectives of the Malawi
Growth and Development Strategy and attain the new Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).
UNFPA Support the Government of Malawi to improve sexual and reproductive
health, promote gender equality and empowerment of women and also
promote integration of population dynamics in planning for development.
Source: Evaluation data

Context of the programme

The programme was implemented to support the Government of Malawi’s efforts in ensuring
women and girls enjoy their full rights and positively contribute to, and benefit from, the
country’s development. Following the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1987 and Beijing Declaration and Platform for
Action in 1995, the Government of Malawi has made several efforts to promote gender
equality and empower women and girls.
At policy and legislative level, several instruments are in place. These include the Republican
Constitution which has remained the basis for formulating gender-aware policies in the
country. Section 20 of the Constitution provides for gender equality and Section 24 provides
for special rights of women. The other key instruments include the Prevention of Domestic
Violence Act, 2006; Deceased Estates (Wills and Inheritance) Act, 2011; Gender Equality Act,

Page | 18
2013; Disability Act, 2012; Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations Act, 2015; as well as the
Trafficking in Persons Act, 2015.
In 2015, Government also came up with a new gender policy whose ‘purpose is to
mainstream gender in the national development process to enhance participation of
women and men, girls and boys for sustainable and equitable development for poverty
eradication.’1 Other key policy instruments include the National Action Plan on Women
Economic Empowerment – NAPWEE, (2016-2021) as well as the National Action Plan to
Combat Gender-Based Violence (2016-2021).
While this indicates high level political will, there is still limited accountability mechanisms to
ensure that these legal and policy instruments are implemented in totality. There is also limited
capacity in gender mainstreaming, coordination, implementation and monitoring at the
national and district levels. In addition, government continues to rely on development
partners to implement major gender equality programmes and this affects sustainability and
national ownership.
Notwithstanding, the legal and policy efforts have led to a number of programmes aimed at
promoting gender equality and women economic empowerment. In the agriculture sector,
where women contribute between 60-80% of labour, programmes such the Farm Input
Subsidy Programme (FISP)2, the Farm Income Diversification Programme (FIDP)3, and the
Sustainable Agricultural Productivity Programme (SAPP)4, among others, were put in place
and implemented prior to and during the current UN Women programme under evaluation.
However, despite these efforts, food insecurity remains a challenge at household level. Many
households still experience food shortages, contributing to widespread household poverty.
The latest poverty figures show the national poverty rate increased slightly from 50.7% in 2010
to 51.5% in 2016.5 In terms of gender, female headed households are poorer than male
headed households.
There have also been several efforts to enhance women participation in decision making
structures at national and local levels. These efforts, however, have achieved mixed results.
For example, the proportion of women representation in parliament has not been that
steady. In 2009, women representation in parliament was 22%, and this fell to 17% in 2014
parliamentary elections. The figure rose again in 2019, with women occupying about 23% of
the total seats. The main contributing factors to this trend has to do with women’s socio-
economic status, gender norms on leadership, the political economy of the electoral process
as well as women’s capabilities.6

1 National Gender Policy, 2015, Second Edition

2 FISP launched in 2005 with the aim of to enhance food self-sufficiency by increasing smallholder farmers’
access to and use of improved agricultural inputs, thereby boosting the incomes of resource-poor farmers.
3 FIDP was introduced in 2005 to address problems of food insecurity and poverty in the country. Its second

phase currently running aims at ensuring sustainable use of natural resource as well as reducing post-harvest
losses and increase agro-processing
4 Commenced in 2011 with the aim of enhancing agricultural productivity and improving rural food security

through simple, affordable technologies.

5 National Statistical Office, 2019, Fifth Integrated Household Survey.
6 Tam O’Neil, et all, 2016, Women and Power: Representation and influence; Overseas
Development Institute Report
in Malawi’s parliament
Page | 19
Regarding elimination of violence against women and girls, prevention and response
programmes are also in place. Government in partnership with development partners and
civil society organizations engage in several campaigns aimed at raising awareness on the
importance of eliminating violence against women and girls including the commemoration
of 16 days of activism against GBV. In terms of response, Malawi has established Victim
Support Units (VSU) in police stations and communities to protect women and girls at risk of
violence through provision of safe havens to survivors of violence since 2001. In addition to
these, major hospitals have One Stop Centres to respond to victims of violence. While this is
the case, violence against women and girls remains high. Currently, one in three Malawian
women and girls between the age of 15 and 49 experiences physical or sexual violence.
Further, the prevalence of social norms and negative traditional practices such as child
marriage and sexual initiation rituals remain unchanged. Harmful cultural practices, religious
beliefs, low literacy levels and low economic status of women are some of the contributing
factors.
Overall, three major events affected delivery of programme during the implementation
period. These are the aftermath of the 2019 tripartite elections, emergency of the COVID -19
and slow economic activities resulting from them. There was a political impasse in Malawi
stemming from disputed 2019 May elections.7 This extended to the year 2020 and resulted in
a lot of civic demonstrations and riots. Government offices and businesses were closed
whenever civic demonstrations and riots were taking place. These imparted negatively on
availability of key UN Women programme stakeholders such as officials from the Ministry of
Gender, Malawi Police, Civil Society Organizations, district officials and the women
beneficiaries to participate and benefit from programme activities.
Delivery of programme results was further affected by the COVID-19 situation – most of the
activities implemented were those that did not allow for large groupings. Mask and sanitizers
were provided, conferences and trainings were also limited. Availability of key government
decision makers and other stakeholders was also limited as they implemented and adhered
to set COVID-19. The economy slowed and this situation largely affected the programme’s
effort in promoting value chains, and in particular production and access to better markets. 8
It also led to a rise in case of gender based violence.9

7 Refer to https://www.africanews.com/2019/06/20/malawi-protests-turn-violent-after-disputed-election//
8 Refer to https://www.mw.undp.org/content/malawi/en/home/library/study-on-socio-economic-impact-
of-covid-19-pandemic-in-malawi-.html
9 Refer to https://malawi.un.org/en/122897-un-urges-sustained-fight-gender-equality-malawi

Page | 20
 Evaluation
objectives,
approach &
methodology

Page | 21
Purpose and objectives of the evaluation
The programme was UN Women Malawi’s flagship programme for the three years from 2017
to 2020. The evaluation is therefore undertaken as part of accountability, learning and
decision-making on the design of future similar programmes. The specific objective of the
evaluation was to assess programmatic progress towards the achievement of project outputs
and outcomes; and generate recommendations that support future programming. It is
meant to support programme monitoring reports in generating substantial evidence on
results achieved, as well as to identifying lessons learnt and best practices which will support
future programmes.
As discussed during inception, key UN Women Malawi will use the evaluation findings,
recommendations and lessons learnt in designing and implementing another similar
programme yet to be developed. Main key users of the evaluation are UN Women, the Royal
Norwegian Embassy, Government of Malawi, UN Agencies, UN Women Partners, and other
donors.
Scope of the evaluation
The evaluation covered the implementation period from December 2017 to September 2021.
The evaluation covered activities under each of the thematic areas implemented at national
level and district levels. As earlier indicated, the programme worked with various stakeholders
at national level. These were all engaged during the evaluation. Additionally, the programme
covered six districts namely Karonga, Mzimba, Salima, Dedza, Mangochi and Mulanje. This
was done through six implementing partners. The evaluation reached out to all the six districts
and six partners. Table 2 illustrates evaluation coverage in terms of districts and thematic
areas.
Table 2: Evaluation coverage by district, thematic areas, implementing partners

District Thematic area Implementing partners

Karonga Gender and governance CCJP
Women economic empowerment Mhub
Elimination of violence against women and MAGGA
girls

Mzimba Women economic empowerment Mhub

Salima Women economic empowerment MACOHA

Gender and governance CCJP

Mangochi Gender and governance CCJP

Dedza Women economic empowerment MACOHA

Elimination of violence against women and MAGGA
girls

Gender and governance WILSA

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 Mulanje Elimination of violence against women and MANASO
girls

Source: Evaluation data

Evaluation theoretical & guiding framework

As earlier indicated, the programme theory of change was reconstructed by the evaluation
team, in consultation with UN Women Staff, during inception discussions. The reconstructed
theory of change was largely informed by the programme problem statement as well as its
results chain (Refer to Chapter 1). In the reconstructed theory of change, the evaluation has
attempted to establish pathways between activities, outputs, outcomes and finally impact
goal. The theory of change guided the evaluation design and data collection process – by
ensuring that an appropriate context is set and parameters established to identify issues to
study. It served as the main theoretical basis (hypothesis) for the evaluation i.e. asking to what
extent the results brought by the programme match the results initially intended at the
programme design stage.
Building on the same, the exercise was built on UN women definition of evaluation. For UN
Women, evaluation is a ‘systematic and impartial assessment that provides credible and
reliable evidence-based information about the extent to which an intervention has resulted
in progress (or the lack thereof) towards intended results regarding gender equality and the
empowerment of women.’10 This understanding builds on the overall UN system evaluation
norms. In its foundation document entitled ‘Norms for Evaluation in the UN System’, it is noted
that an evaluation ‘focuses on expected and achieved accomplishments, examining the
results chain, processes, contextual factors and causality, in order to understand
achievements or the lack thereof.’11 Further, an evaluation aims at determining the
relevance, impact, effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, and sustainability of the
interventions.1213
In the context of the thinking above, this evaluation attempted to assess whether the WEP
programme in Malawi:
a) Was guided by the relevant international (national and regional) normative
frameworks and policies for gender equality and women’s rights;
b) Analyzed and addressed the structures that contribute to inequalities experienced by
women, men, girls and boys, especially those experiencing multiple forms of exclusion;
c) Maximized participation and inclusiveness (with respect to rights holders and duty
bearers) in their planning, design, implementation and decision making processes;
d) Sought out opportunities to build sustainable results through the empowerment and
capacity-building of women and groups of rights holders and duty bearers;

10 Refer to United Nations, 2012, Evaluation policy of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment
of Women
11 Refer to UNEG, 2005, Norms for Evaluation in the UN System (Foundation Document).
12 Ibid.
13 This is also conforms to the DAC Criteria for Evaluating Development Assistance. Refer to
https://www.oecd.org/dac/evaluation/daccriteriaforevaluatingdevelopmentassistance.htm

Page | 23
 e) Contributed to short-, medium- and long-term objectives (or the lack thereof) through
the examination of results chains, processes, contextual factors and causality using
gender- and rights-based analysis.14
Evaluation approach
Overall, the evaluation adopted a gender responsive and human rights based approach15
in its design, tools and execution. It was grounded in key women’s rights frameworks, including
CEDAW and the Beijing Platform for Action. The evaluation largely applied a theory-based
approach; guided by the programmes theory of change. The theory of change was
reconstructed at the inception phase of the evaluation. The choice to use this approach was
based on the fact that the programme was implemented at different levels and diverse
settings – making its context complex.
Further, the evaluation adopted a gender responsive and human rights based approach in
its design, tools and execution. It was grounded in key women’s rights frameworks, including
CEDAW and the Beijing Platform for Action. It was also based on the principles of
empowerment, participation of stakeholders, and inclusiveness. The evaluation emphasized
the active participation of stakeholders. In order to promote the spirit of participation among
them, they were encouraged to share their own experiences and make recommendations
in order to help future programming. Further, to adhere to the United Nations Evaluation
Group (UNEG) evaluation quality standards, the evaluation used the Global Evaluation
Report Assessment and Analysis System (GERAAS) for quality benchmarking.
Sampling design
The sampling approach for the evaluation was cross-sectoral and multi-staged owing to the
nature of the programme. The programme had three thematic areas where interventions
were implemented. These thematic areas have a range of organizations and actors which
contributed towards implementation and which were affected and or benefited from
programme interventions. There are organizations and actors that are working in the gender
based governance sectors; women economic empowerment sectors; as well as elimination
of violence against women sectors. Additionally, the sampling design took into account the
fact that the programme was implemented at different stages. The programme targeted
national level structures, organizations and actors; district level structures, organizations and
actors; as well as community level structures, organizations and actors (Refer to Figure 2
below).

14 This is highlighted in the United Nations, 2012, Evaluation policy of the United Nations Entity for Gender
Equality and the Empowerment of Women
15 A gender-responsive evaluation is ‘a systematic and impartial assessment that provides credible and

reliable evidence-based information about the extent to which an intervention has resulted in progress (or
the lack thereof) towards intended and/or unintended results regarding gender equality and the
empowerment of women.’ Refer to UN Women – Independent Evaluation Office, 2015; How to manage
gender-responsive evaluation: evaluation handbook. Further it looks at the extent to which programming
empowered people to know and claim their rights and increased the ability and accountability of individuals
and institutions who are responsible for respecting, protecting and fulfilling rights.

Page | 24
 Figure 2: Sampling design illustration

Thematic Area 3:
Thematic Area 1: Thematic Area 2:
Elimination of
Gender Based Women Economic
Violence Against
Governance Empowerment
Women and Girls

National level National level

National level structures, structures,
Duty bearers and structures, organizations, organizations,
organizations, actors actors
rights holders
actors

District level District level District level

Duty bearers and structures, structures, structures,
organizations, organizations, organizations,
rights holders
actors actors actors

Community level Community level Community level

Duty bearers and structures, structures, structures,
rights holders organizations, organizations, organizations,
actors actors actors

Source: Evaluation data

Sampling methods and size

The evaluation sampling methods were largely purposeful and random. Purposeful sampling
methods helped in identifying key stakeholders that managed and implemented the
programme. The methods also guided in identifying government partners who are primary
duty bearers i.e. supported in implementing the programme as part of fulfilling their
obligations on rights holders. Beneficiaries of the programme such as local leaders and
representatives of local structures were also sampled purposefully. On the other hand,
beneficiaries of the programme such as women, men, boys and girls were sampled both
purposefully and randomly. Random sampling was applied at the level of identifying
programme beneficiaries (rights holders) who benefited from the programme.
In total the evaluation reached out to 182 stakeholders and beneficiaries (93 females and 89
males). The evaluation conducted 18 focus group discussions; 51 Key informant interviews; 21
individual case study interviews.
Data collection and analysis methods
The evaluation largely employed qualitative methods of data collection and analysis. The
qualitative methods included literature review, individual and group interviews, observations
and case study documentation. Further, quantitative methods were employed to analyze
data with tabulations to supplement qualitative data collection methods. For example,
programme indicators were analyzed comparing the progress made in view of targets at
baseline and at the end of the project. Disaggregation of statistical data collected by the
project implementation partners for the purposes of monitoring were used to identify the
trends and the degree of changes between groups of beneficiaries, i.e. by region and
community, minority groups among others. The evaluation endeavored to ensure that these
methods are gender responsive to facilitate full participation and inclusion with respondents.

Page | 25
The evaluation also ensured that appreciative inquiry approaches are used to identify results
and positive changes, identification of success stories, among others.
Given that data collection was largely qualitative and to a limited degree quantitative; the
following specific approaches used to analyze data:
a) Comparing data obtained during the interviews with existing information (i.e.
monitoring and assessment reports by UN Women, implementing partners and other
stakeholders, baseline studies; mid-term evaluation);
b) Identifying themes and responses which are common and different between groups
of stakeholders including duty bearers and rights holders;
c) Interpreting data in relation to the context, relationships, power dynamics and
relations
d) Comparing data obtained from different sources (triangulation);
e) Comparing individual stories and case studies with general information found in the
studies and reports prepared by UN Women, implementing partners and other
stakeholders; and other research and information available on the national, district
and community level.

Ethical, gender and human rights considerations

The United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) recommends that all those engaged in
designing, conducting and managing evaluation activities should aspire to conduct high
quality work guided by professional standards and ethical and moral principles.16 Therefore,
the evaluation adhered to the following:
a) Respect for the dignity and diversity of all stakeholders to participate in the exercise,
with equal voice being given to all irrespective of position or status.
b) Understanding and acceptance of all stakeholders' right to self-determination, to
express views and opinions freely.
c) Fair representation, i.e. an appropriate and representative sample was chosen, all of
whose views and recommendations were equally taken into account;
d) Confidentiality and full anonymity was assured and ensured at all times.
e) There was avoidance of harm throughout the process.
Additionally, at the beginning of each interview or discussion, participants were briefed on
the purpose of the evaluation and use of information that they will share. The independence
of the evaluators was also clarified. Further, participants were assured of confidentiality.
Consent was also requested prior to starting the interview.
Further, the evaluation ensured that the design, process and tools were gender and human
rights responsive. This meant that the design, process and tools took into account gender
dynamics, social norms, inequalities and power relations in the context of assessing the
contributions UN Women support and interventions might have made to strengthening
gender equality under the programme. Additionally, the evaluation design and approach
took into account inclusion and equality principles i.e. all participants (at national, district and
community levels; and across the sectors) in the exercise were treated equally and with the
same respect.

16 UNEG, 2008, Ethical guidelines for evaluation (Foundation Document)

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Further as part of human rights and gender equality considerations, the evaluation looked at
the extent to which the programme contributed towards improving the quality of life of right-
holders in the longer term as well as strengthening the capacity of duty bearers and other
actors to fulfill their obligations and responsibilities.17 It is important that programming within
UN Women not only promote the welfare of right-holders and obligations of duty bearers, but
also encourage broader adherence and compliance to the global human rights and gender
equality frameworks.18 This evaluation exercise therefore endeavored to evaluate the extent
to which the WEP programme design and implementation considered this element.
Evaluation limitations
A number of limitations were encountered during the evaluation process, and these
included:
a) Non-availability of selected stakeholders: Unavailability of respondents at both
national and district levels for key informant interviews was a challenge. However, with
constant follow-up, some respondents were able to avail themselves for interviews,
especially towards the end of the data collection period.
b) Limited information on unintended results: The evaluation was unable to decipher
unintended results due to limitations in data programme monitoring reports.
Participants in the evaluation could also not isolate and share unintended results of
the programme.
c) Staff turnover/transfers: In most stakeholder organizations there were staff turnovers
and transfers. Staff who participated in the programme either left the organization or
had been transferred (and this was particularly true with the six implementing partners
and government counterparts). This affected information provided about the
programme. However, in some instances efforts were made to contact staff that had
left.
d) COVID-19 pandemic: Due to the pandemic, interviews with some stakeholders were
virtual (using Zoom, Microsoft teams and phone calls). This proved to be costly on the
part of the consultant. The other challenge related to the pandemic had to do with
ensuring that the consultant and evaluation participants are all protected. This meant
observing strict COVID-19 measures, in line with UN Women guidelines. This also meant,
in case of FGDs and face to face interviews, proper attention has to be paid to the
offices/places where the interviews are made; and also that personal protective
materials and sanitation/hygiene facilities are made available.

17 Refer to UN Women, 2015, Global Evaluation Report Assessment and Analysis System (GERAAS)
18 Refer to UN Women, 2015, How to manage gender-responsive evaluation: evaluation handbook

Page | 27
 Evaluation
findings

Page | 28
This chapter presents findings based on the evaluation objectives and criteria. The
presentation of the findings follows the evaluation criteria of relevance, effectiveness,
efficiency, coherence, impact, sustainability, as well as gender equality and human rights.
Attempts are made to align the discussion to specific questions articulated in the Evaluation
Matrix. Further, discussions of findings will be done on each of the thematic areas of the
programme.
Programme relevance
Under relevance, the evaluation looked at three main areas. First, the evaluation looked at
the extent to which WEP was aligned to the needs and priorities as defined by beneficiaries.
As earlier noted, over the longer term the programme was meant to benefit women to enjoy
their rights to fully contribute to and benefit from the socio-economic development of the
country. In view of the same, participants in the consultations were asked to indicate whether
or not the programme would progressively achieve this feat in the long term.
Second, the evaluation looked at the extent to which WEP was aligned to relevant normative
frameworks for gender equality and women’s empowerment. In order to address this, the
evaluation analyzed whether or not WEP priorities speak to the following key normative
frameworks on gender equality and women empowerment i.e. Constitution of the Republic
of Malawi, Gender Equality Act, CEDAW and SADC Protocol on gender. Third, the evaluation
also looked at the extent to which WEP was aligned to national strategies and plans on
gender equality and women’s empowerment. Under this element, the evaluation looked at
how the programme was aligned to the national policies, plans and strategies.

Question 1: To what extent is the intervention relevant to the needs and priorities as defined
by beneficiaries?

Gender Based Governance

Finding 1: The GBG programme component responded to the needs and priorities of the
target beneficiaries in the national gender machinery.
It is imperative to state that governance is key to delivering gender equality results. Improving
the lives of women and girls in the country require coordination, competency and strong
government commitment. It also requires clear mechanisms to translate policy aspirations
into programmes that will improve the lives of women and girls, and promote gender equality.
In view of the same, the GBG programme component was implemented to deliver results
regarding the application of key normative frameworks on gender; women leadership;
government planning as well as data improvement. The main target beneficiaries at this level
included stakeholders within the national gender machinery. The National Gender Policy
defines the national gender machinery as ‘a single body or a complex organized system of
bodies, often under different authorities, but recognized by the government as the institution
dealing with the promotion of the status of women.’19 The policy further notes that the
country’s gender machinery is challenged with coordination as a result of capacity gaps by
the lead Ministry (i.e. Ministry of Gender) as well as other key government institutions and civil
society. It also notes that there are challenges to do with data and monitoring as well as
planning and budgeting. The evaluation notes that the GBG programme component worked
to address these challenges. It worked with several key institutions in the machinery such as

19 Government of Malawi; National Gender Policy; 2015

Page | 29
the lead ministry (i.e. Ministry of Gender), the Department of Human Resources, Management
and Development (DHRMD); Ministry of Finance, National Statistical Office; Parliament,
Ministry of Local Government; District Councils among others. As will be discussed later, the
programme contributed to improvements in the way some of the institutions in the machinery
operate; leading to potential benefits in the promotion of gender equality in the country.
Discussions with selected stakeholders in the national gender machinery revealed that
building their capacity in gender responsive planning and budgeting has enabled them to
effectively deliver on their mandate – and ultimately enable them to satisfy the aspirations of
women, men, girls and boys in the country. For example, stakeholders noted that there is an
increase awareness amongst district level planners to mainstream gender. Most importantly,
this resonates with UN Women broader country programme theory of change which assumes
that achieving gender equality; empowering women and girls; and freeing women from
violence and discrimination is guaranteed when there is functional legislative and policy
framework.
Women economic empowerment
Finding 2: Under this component, the programme was consistent with the broader needs and
priorities of the intended beneficiaries; although it would have benefited more if it included a
needs assessment of the intended beneficiaries in the approach.
UN Women defines women economic empowerment as the ability (of women) ‘to
participate equally in existing markets; their access to and control over productive resources,
access to decent work, control over their own time, lives and bodies; and increased voice,
agency and meaningful participation in economic decision-making at all levels from the
household to international institutions.’20 The WEE programme component was consistent with
the needs and priorities of target women in improving their knowledge and skills to access
markets, decent work, and have control over productive resources. The problem analysis
that is presented in the programme document points out that amongst the major needs and
priorities for women economic empowerment include the need for capital and information
services. It highlighted that most women lack capital to boost their agricultural or non-
agricultural enterprises. This is in part due to limited opportunities for credit as well as
information on the same. Additionally, women face many challenges related to access to
viable markets, partly due to limited information on the same as well as knowledge and skills
to improve their products e.g. through value addition.

20 Refer here: https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/economic-empowerment/facts-and-

figures
Page | 30
Women beneficiaries that participated in the evaluation
revealed that they face challenges in terms of boosting “I was indeed helped with as
their enterprises because they lack opportunities for suitable machine with my type of
capital as well as viable markets, among others. While disability but with time and long
these are broader challenges women face, the working hours, it becomes very
uncomfortable for me since I work
programme did not include a thorough needs
on the floor. This sewing machines
assessment to understand specific needs of individual needs to come with a customized
women and groups which were targeted. Such an chair and table but since I only got
assessment would have led to interventions that are the machine, now I have to
need specific, given the different groups of beneficiaries generate money on my own to get
that were targeted. This component worked with MHUB them made.” Beneficiary under
WEP, Salima District
and MACOHA to help women access market and
capital opportunities and build their skills. While MHUB
worked with established groups inform of cooperatives; MACOHA worked to provide training
to individual women in tailoring skills. While women beneficiaries indicated that the services
received from the organizations responded to some of their challenges, the support was not
need-based and group specific.
Elimination of violence against women and girls
Finding 3: This component of the programme was relevant in addressing violence against
women and girls.
As earlier alluded to, the prevalence rate of violence against women and girls in Malawi is
significantly high by international standards. Violence against women and girls manifests in
physical, sexual and psychological forms and the rates for each of these in the country is
telling. It encompasses intimate partner violence (battering, psychological abuse, marital
rape); sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual
advances, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, street harassment, stalking, cyber-
harassment); human trafficking (sexual exploitation); and child marriage. Key drivers for these
include social norms, attitudes and practices prevalent in most communities in Malawi. A
study21 UN Women conducted as part of the programme confirmed and revealed that social
norms and attitudes contribute to violence against women and girls. All participants in this
evaluation also agreed that social norms contribute to violence against women and girls. The
programme therefore was suited to address such norms in order to contribute to the
elimination of violence against women and girls. The programme supported establishment of
inter-generational dialogues through the girls clubs, mother groups, HeforShe clubs, and
traditional leaders’ forums which discussed entrenched social norms which perpetuates
violence against women and girls.

Question 2: To what extent is the intervention aligned with relevant normative frameworks
for gender equality and women’s empowerment?

Finding 4: Overall, the programme demonstrated strong alignment to the Constitution of the
Republic of Malawi, especially Sections 13 and 24; as well as the Gender Equality Act of 2013.

21 UN Women, 2018, Perceptions Study on Social Norms around Violence Against Women and Girls in Malawi

Page | 31
Gender equality is a fundamental principle in the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi as
clearly stated in Section 13a:
‘To obtain equality for women through (a) full participation in all spheres of Malawian
society on the basis of equality; (b) the implementation of the principles of non-
discrimination and such other measures as may be required; and (c) the
implementation of policies to address social issues such as domestic violence, security
of the person, lack of maternity benefits, economic exploitation, and rights to
property’.
Further, Section 24 of the Constitution prohibits any discrimination on the basis of ‘race, colour,
sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, nationality, ethnic or social origin, disability,
property, birth or other status’. By addressing challenges that impede women to fully and
actively participate in decision making processes; supporting them to actively participate in
the economy; as well as supporting country efforts in eliminating violence against them; the
programme fully demonstrated commitment to the fundamental principles stated above.
In addition, the programme was fully aligned to the main purpose of the Gender Equality Act
of 2013. The Act was passed to ‘promote gender equality, equal integration, influence,
empowerment, dignity and opportunities, for men and women in all functions of society, to
prohibit and provide redress for sex discrimination, harmful practices and sexual harassment,
to provide for public awareness on promotion of gender equality and to provide for
connected matters’.
The evaluation further looked at each of the thematic component of the programme in view
of other international normative frameworks as discussed below.
Gender Based Governance
Finding 5: The GBG programme component was strongly aligned to CEDAW as well as SDGs
Goal 5.5.
The outcomes under this thematic area were strongly aligned to major international
commitments and conventions which Malawi is party to. The commitments in question
include the CEDAW. The programme ensured that the capacity is improved for structures in
the national gender machinery to translate such commitments into action. In so doing, the
programme enabled continued compliance by the government to the global and regional
normative frameworks on gender equality. One of the outcomes under this component was
to ensure that women participate, lead, and engage in decision making processes in public
institutions. This outcome therefore was aligned strongly to Sustainable Development Goal 5.5
which call for women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership
at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life. Goal 5.c also call for the
adoption and strengthening of sound policies and legislation for the promotion of gender
equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels.
Women economic empowerment
Finding 6: The thematic area was strongly aligned to Article 14 of CEDAW which calls for
women to participate in and benefit from rural development.
Under this component, the programme targeted to build the capacity of women in
accessing financing to invest in climate smart agriculture and to ensure rural women and

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youths have increased access to secure and productive resources, including markets and
value-added activities. The two result areas directly align to CEDAW Article 14 (2) which call
on state parties to ‘take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women
in rural areas in order to ensure, on a basis of equality of men and women, that they
participate in and benefit from rural development and, in particular, shall ensure to such
women the right.’ The article further highlights that State parties should take necessary
measures to ensure the following for women:
a) Obtain all types of training and education, formal and non-formal, including that
relating to functional literacy, as well as, inter alia, the benefit of all community and
extension services, in order to increase their technical proficiency;
b) Organize self-help groups and co-operatives in order to obtain equal access to
economic opportunities through employment or self-employment;
c) Have access to agricultural credit and loans, marketing facilities, appropriate
technology and equal treatment in land and agrarian reform as well as in land
resettlement schemes.
Through MHUB Interventions under this component supported women to improve access to
markets through training in marketing and branding; and also facilitating women to
participate in trade fairs. The programme worked with several co-operatives enhancing their
capacity in planning and budgeting as well as records keeping among others. On the other
hand, MACOHA supported women to gain access to vocational skills training in tailoring for
purposes of self-employment. All these activities directly speak to said provisions in CEDAW.
Additionally, goal 5 (a, c) of the SDGs call for broader policy reforms that enable women
have equal rights ‘to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over
land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources, in
accordance with national laws.’ To ensure this, the programme engaged the Reserve Bank
of Malawi and financial institutions to initiate reforms so that women have access to business
financing.
Elimination of violence against women and girls
Finding 7: The EVAWG thematic area was strongly aligned to CEDAW Article 5 and Goal 5.2
of the SDGs.
The component aligned with the call for action enshrined in the Beijing Declaration and
Platform for Action under Strategic Objective D.1. “Take integrated measures to prevent and
eliminate violence against women,” including development of programmes and procedures
to educate and raise awareness of acts of violence against women that constitute a crime
and a violation of the human rights of women. By promoting understanding of harmful
consequences of violence against women and girls, the programme contributed towards a
more favorable environment for implementation of Article 5 of the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) that obligates the state to
take all appropriate measures to modify the social and cultural patterns of conduct of men
and women, with a view to achieving the elimination of prejudices and customary and all
other practices which are based on the idea of the inferiority or the superiority of either of the
sexes or on stereotyped roles for men and women. The thematic area was also aligned with
Goal 5.2 of the SDGs which is on elimination of all forms of violence against all women and
girls in the public and private sphere, including trafficking, sexual and other types of
exploitation.

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 Question 3: To what extent is the interventions relevant to national strategies/plans?

Gender Based Governance

Finding 8: The GBG programme component fully supported aspirations of the MGDS III,
especially on gender mainstreaming and women in decision making processes.
MGDS III has several thematic areas, including one on gender, youth development, persons
with disability and social welfare. The policy document recognizes the importance of
mainstreaming gender, children, youth, persons with disability and the elderly in development
planning and implementation. Specifically related to the GBG component, MGDS III outlines
two outcomes as follows:
a) Gender and youth mainstreamed in all sector plans, policies, programmes and
development frameworks. Key indicators for these include increasing equitably
access, control and utilization of social and economic services by youth and women;
and ensuring the consistent implementation of gender responsive budgeting across
sectors.
b) Increased Women & youth representation in decision making structures and politics.
Key indicators for these include ensuring the effective participation of children, youth
and women in decision making processes; and increasing youth and women
participation in the economy including development initiatives at all levels.
Under WEP, the GBG component contributed to these two outcomes. Of particular
importance is the call for gender responsive budgeting across all sectors and participation of
women in decision making processes – of which were central areas of intervention for the
programme.
Finding 9: The GBG programme component was also strongly aligned to the National Gender
Policy; especially the gender in governance and human rights areas.
The National Gender Policy recognizes the right of women to participate in politics and
decision making processes. It clearly states that active women participation ensures good
governance, transparency and accountability. The policy aspires to increase women
representation and active participation in parliament, local councils, public as well as the
private sector. To achieve this aspiration, one clear policy statement emphasize the need for
women and girls and boys to fully and equally participate in politics and decision making
positions at all levels. Further, amongst its policy outcomes, one points out the need to
strengthen the capacity of the national gender machinery. This directly speaks to two
outcomes under the thematic area, namely: enhanced implementation of national,
regional, and international normative and policy frameworks; as well as women participate,
lead, and engage in decision making processes in public institutions.
Women economic empowerment
Finding 10: By including women economic empowerment activities, the programme
demonstrated UN Women’s commitment to support the Government of Malawi’s aspirations
of having a productive, competitive and resilient nation as indicated in the MGDS III.
Under this thematic area, the programme intended results on improving women’s capacity
to access financing in climate smart agriculture and enterprise development; as well as

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increasing access to secure and productive resources and markets. These areas are central
in MGDS III especially under the agriculture, water development and climate change
management priority areas. One of the medium term outcomes under this priority area aim
at empowering youth, women, persons with disability and vulnerable groups in agriculture
through (among others) the ‘promoting establishment of cooperatives; promoting access to,
ownership and control of productive resources; promoting agricultural education and
technical training for women, youth, and vulnerable groups; promoting access to finance for
women, youth and vulnerable groups in agriculture.’ The other medium term outcome
targets increasing agriculture market development, agro- processing and value addition by
way of promoting the development of efficient and inclusive agricultural value chains,
among others. The evaluation finds that these elements and those under the programme
were strongly aligned.
Finding 11: Women economic empowerment is central in the National Gender Policy; and
the programme showed commitment to drive the same in support of the policy.
This component directly speaks to the policy goal, outcomes and objectives of the National
Gender Policy. The broad policy goal is to ‘reduce gender inequalities and enhance
participation of women, men, girls and boys in socio economic development processes.’ The
policy recognize the many challenges women face when it comes to their full participation
and benefiting from economic development. Further, it recognizes the huge disparities in
access and control over resources which lead to high poverty levels particularly amongst
women. As such, just like the policy, the programme also aimed at reducing poverty among
women and other vulnerable groups through economic empowerment interventions.
Elimination of violence against women and girls
Finding 12: The programme supported both the MGDS III and the National Gender Policy when
it comes to elimination of violence against women and girls in Malawi.

MGDS III states that gender inequalities may also be addressed through awareness
interventions – which target redefining gender norms. It calls for gender
transformative approaches i.e. coming up with programmes which challenge
gender norms and promote women in positions of social and political influence. On
the other hand, one of the National Gender Policy outcomes call for the need to
reduced gender based violence at all levels. While recognizing that both women
and men, boys and girls face gender based violence, the policy notes that the
majority of victims are women and girls – largely due to unequal power relations. As
such it calls for improved knowledge, attitudes and practices – in the same way the
programme was addressing social norms, attitudes and behaviours which
perpetuate violence against women and girls.
Programme effectiveness
This section discusses evaluation findings related to the degree of achievement of the
programme results at output and outcome levels as well as factors and strategies that
facilitated and hindered the project effectiveness. In the section, the evaluation will attempt
to unpack underlying interconnections and pathways to see if the interventions and
strategies put in place led to the achievement of programme outputs and contributed to
outcomes. This will be informed by the programme’s theory of change, which was
reconstructed at evaluation inception stage. Analysis in the section will be guided by four

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main questions. Firstly, the section will illustrate the degree of achievement of the intended
programme outputs. Secondly, the section makes an analysis of the outputs and outcomes
achieved, to draw conclusions on their likelihood to contribute to the ultimate programme
results. Lastly, the section discusses achievement of results across beneficiaries to see who
might have benefited the most from the programme and why.

Question 4: To what extent has the programme achieved its intended main outputs?

Gender Based Governance

Finding 13: The GBG component achieved all the planned targets under the six outputs;
demonstrating strong commitment by the programme to see through planned results given
the challenging context the programme was implemented.
The GBG programme component had six outputs in total under the four thematic outcomes.
Analysis of the project documentation indicates that the project has mostly achieved the
intended outputs, indicating one hundred percent achievement rate. Output one of the first
outcome, the programme intended to enhance the capacity of the national gender
machinery to monitor and report on progress on implementation of normative frameworks to
which the Government of Malawi committed. Specifically, the programme intended to
monitor and report on 12 gender equality recommendations; by the end of the project,
however, 71 recommendations were monitored and reported on. The programme directly
worked with the Ministry of Gender and Ministry of Justice, among others, to specifically report
on the Malawi Country Report monitoring the implementation of the Beijing declaration and
platform for action (1995).
The programme also supported monitoring of recommendations related to the AU Protocol
on the rights of women in Africa; Universal Period Review; the 8th CEDAW State Party Report;
as well as the SADC Gender Protocol Barometer. Related to the same, under output two; the
programme supported and monitored implementation of 11 recommendations (against a
target of 2). Further, as part of support to the national gender machinery, the programme
participated in 31 Sector Working Groups (SWGs) and Gender Technical Working Groups
(GTWG) – against a target of 21 – across the programme implementation period.
The other output was related to increasing the capacity of women to engage in leadership.
On the same, the programme trained 438 women (against a target of 50) women in public
institutions. Women trained included those from government departments, district councils,
female MPs and Councilors (aspirants in the 2019 government elections. The programme also
engaged government ministries to engender their budget plans – the programme targeted
6 and achieved 6 - which included the Ministries of Gender; Finance; Agriculture; Civic
Education; Local Government; and Lands. The programme also trained 28,736 (7,540 female
and 21,196 male) - against a target of 150 - officials from the government and civil society in
use and analysis of gender statistics for decision making. Amongst those trained included
enumerators who conducted the 2018 Population and Housing Census. Support to the
National Statistical Office led to the production of a gender sensitive population census and
eventually a gender thematic report of the census was produced, the first of its kind for
Malawi.
These achievements demonstrate strong commitment to ensure interventions are fully
implemented by UN Women and its implementing partners. The overachievement on most

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of the outputs as indicated above could be attributed to innovativeness in terms of
capitalizing on existing opportunities by UN Women and implementing partners. The case in
point is the training undertaken for officials from NSO, enumerators; as well as women
aspirants for councilors and Member of Parliament leading up to the 2019 elections. One lady
Member of Parliament aspirant for Salima Central appreciated the training, although she
challenged that it came a little late leading up to elections. The other major challenge noted
had to do with the time dedicated to the trainings – all women aspirants interviewed in
Mangochi noted the trainings were good, but were rushed; and called for a more strategic
approach towards such type of support (e.g. follow-up activities after elections to check
progress and strategize for the next ones). This Activity implementation under this component
was undertaken by UN Women, CCJP and WILSA. The table below shows progress made on
targets under each of the outputs for this thematic area.
Table 3: Progress on output targets on the gender and governance thematic area*

OUTPUT BASELINE TARGET END OF

PROGRAM
Output 1: Enhanced capacity of Gender machinery to monitor and report on progress in the
implementation of national, regional and international Gender Equality normative and policy frameworks.
Number of Gender Equality recommendations 3 12 71
monitored and reported
Output 1.2: Enhanced dialogue among the Gender machinery on implementation of Gender equality
related national, regional and international normative and policy
Number of periodic reviews on regional and international 0 2 11
treaty recommendations implemented
Output 1.3: The gender machinery has strengthened capacity to coordinate and implement the Gender
agenda
Number of Annual SWG and GTWG meetings conducted 0 26 31

Output 2.1: Increased capacity of women to engage in leadership.

Number of trained women with capacity to lead in 0 50 438
public institutions
Output 3.1 Gender responsive planning, budgeting and accountability is institutionalized and promoted at
local and national levels.
Number of government departments in targeted 0 6 6
ministries revising their budgetary frameworks to reflect
gender with UN Women’s support
Output 4.1: Strengthened capacity of CSO, government and other actors to use and analyses gender
statistics to inform decision-making
Number of government officials and CSO participants 0 150 21421
trained to use and analyse gender statistics to inform
decision-making
*Source: Developed by the evaluator based on the analysis of the project documentation

Women economic empowerment

Finding 14: Analysis of programme documentation shows the programme largely achieved
outputs targets set; however, this evaluation notes that presentation of progress made on
some indicator targets could be misleading in terms of attaching some of the achievements
as direct outputs resulting from programme interventions.
The thematic area had two major outputs, with 10 indicators as per the final programme
report. However, the log frame and monitoring plan shows the programme had six outputs
and nine indicators. The evaluation used what was reported in the final programme report as

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the basis for analysis. It has to be pointed out on the outset that presentation of indicators
proved difficult for the evaluator to attribute what is reported as a direct output of
programme interventions. The table below, confirms this argument.
Table 4: Progress on women economic empowerment output indicators*

Output 1: Government institutions, and private sector support youths, and rural women farmers to sign contracts
to secure more market opportunities

Indicator Baseline Target Achievem Evaluation comments

ent

Number of targeted 0 120 1772 The end of programme report indicates

women, men, people achievement on this output target. However,
with disabilities the output indicates number of beneficiaries
accessing financial accessing capital through WEP programme.
capital through the Beneficiaries interviewed indicated that they
WEP programme access capital but not through WEP. Actually,
the beneficiaries indicated that they are finding
it hard to gain access to capital to boost their
enterprises. Beneficiaries indicated that they
received training on accessing capital, but not
accessing capital itself through the
programme.

Number of supported 0 250 547 The end of programme indicates achievement

groups or women on this output target. However, the output
cooperatives involved from indicates number of supported groups or
in value addition supported cooperatives involved in value addition
activities with support groups or activities with support from WEP. The evaluation
from WEP programme cooperati finds this misleading. The indicator description
ves. specifies groups; whilst the target indicates
individual women. Reporting would have been
on groups and not individual women
beneficiaries. Further, the evaluation notes that
the programme targeted women who were
already in groups or cooperatives; and were
already involved in various value chains.
Notwithstanding, beneficiary groups indicated
they received training (which was part of the
broader training received) on how they could
improve their products to access gainful
markets. MHUB selected beneficiary groups on
branding and packaging training; with some
actually being directly supported with branding
and packaging materials. Further, given that
the programme worked with groups that had
already been in existence, the baseline figure
may not have been 0 since some groups might

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 already have started undertaking value
addition activities.

Number of groups 0 100 203 The end of programme indicates achievement

supported, or women on this output target. As said earlier, the
cooperatives involved from the indicator description is on groups and
in accessing markets supported cooperatives; however, the targets are on
through the WEP groups. individual women members supported.
programme Notwithstanding, the programme made a
number of efforts to ensure accessibility of
markets by women groups and cooperatives.
The programme directly supported 169 rural
women to participate in Trade Fairs in 2019. For
example, Mphinga Rice cooperative from
Karonga displayed their Kilombero Rice
product at a National Agriculture Fair. Their
Kilombero Rice was packaged in branded
packaging material provided by mHub with
support from UN Women. The end of
programme report also notes that ‘as a result of
attending trade fairs, some women groups, e.g.
from Mzimba secured a contract with Sun-
Seed oil to supply sunflower seeds to the
company which would further be processed
into cooking oil.

*Source: Developed by the evaluator based on the analysis of the project documentation

Notwithstanding the above highlighted points related to output indicator targets and
corresponding reporting; this evaluation finds that the programme under this component
made in-roads in engaging financial institutions and the private sector to enable women
access valuable markets. Highlights of the programme on the same, include supporting
women to participate in trade fairs where they showcased their products. This is resounding
and innovative on the part of the programme. It demonstrated the programme’s intention to
expose women groups and cooperatives to market opportunities beyond their enclaves.
Beneficiaries groups the evaluation interacted with also showed that participation in trade
fairs gave them a lot of exposure on how they can improve their businesses.
The other key output under reported in the final programme report is on strengthening
supporting women farmers’ access information, extensions services and capacities in
branding, certification, marketing, and packaging. Under this output, seven indicators are
pointed out and reported on in the final programme report. The report notes that the
programme achieved all but one indicator targets resoundingly. For example, regarding the
number of women investing in climate smart agriculture and enterprise development, the
report indicates that of the targeted 250 women, 2502 were reached at the end of the
programme. However, as earlier said, under this component most interventions targeted
women already established groups; especially those reached through MHUB. Indeed, most
of the women in these groups were engaged in various livelihood enterprises some of which
were climate-smart. The programme also worked with MACOHA who trained women (and
men) in tailoring and cloth design and reached out to 181 beneficiaries (of which 66 were

Page | 39
people with disabilities). The other output target with outstanding achievement is relates to
increasing capacities (through training) of women and youths in business, access to financial
capital and marketing. The project targeted 100 women, however, it directly reached 3949
women.
The evaluation confirms that both MHUB and MACOHA trained women in business
management skills. However, it is MHUB which demonstrated that their training brought in
more results when it comes to improving business management knowledge and skills. This is
attributed to the fact that MHUB has a comparative advantage in business incubation
services for young men and women, gained from the information and technology sector as
pioneers and also facilitating a wide range of business services for young entrepreneurs.
Beneficiaries that the evaluation interacted with indicated that their knowledge in business
management has changed due to the trainings received. For example, members of
Twambilile Abattoir indicated that they have improved their record keeping, planning and
budgeting, and advertising as a result of the trainings received. Further, MACOHA also
mainstreamed business management skills training to their beneficiaries – and this is a plus on
the part of the programme owing to the type of beneficiaries which MACOHA mostly
reached (MACOHA mostly reached marginalized women and young women and men who
largely were school drop-outs and some with disabilities).
As will be noted on the table below, outputs related to supporting high value chains;
supporting market contracts with women groups as well as linking rural women to business
models. The only output target which was not reached related to the establishment of the
BuyfromWomen platform which did not materialize by the end of the programme.
Nevertheless, owing to the target beneficiaries under this component, it could be argued
that the programme was ambitious enough to reach out to the most vulnerable women and
build their capacity for high value business enterprises as well as sustainable markets.
Table 5: Progress on women economic empowerment output indicators*

Output 2.2: Women farmers access information, extension services, and capacities in branding,
certification, marketing, and packaging are strengthened
Baseline Target Achievement
Number of women investing in climate smart 0 250 women 2502
agriculture and enterprise development from
supported
groups or
cooperative
s.
Number of MFI that developed specific 0 3 7
products and procedures to promote
women’s access to credit
Number of women and youth micro 0 100 women 3949 Directly and 5000
entrepreneurs with increased capabilities to entrepreneu indirectly - Mhub
manage businesses, access to financial rs linked to
capital and marketing business role
models by
2020.
Number of high value chains identified and 0 19 16
promoted through the program
Number of companies, stores and firms that 0 4 11
sign contracts with women groups

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 Number of rural women linked to business role 0 40 1424
models
BuyFromWomen platform established 0 0 0
*Source: Developed by the evaluator based on the analysis of the project documentation

Elimination of violence against women and girls

Finding 15: Under this component, the programme managed to register achievement on 7 of
the 10 output indicator targets that were planned.
The evaluation notes that the output targets on this component were largely achieved. The
programme managed to influence national and local institutions to adopt gender responsive
policies and laws – recording nine against a target of four of institutions at the end of the
programme. While this is the case, the evaluation notes that the institutions mentioned i.e. the
six districts and National Aids Commission were already mainstreaming gender even before
2017 before the programme commenced. It is thus difficult to ascertain a specific institution
which was lobbied under the programme to begin implementing a given policy or law as a
direct result of programme interventions. The other indicator relates to the collection and use
of Gender Based Violence data – the programme targeted six and managed to achieve six
(districts where the programme was implemented). While this is commendable, the
evaluation team noted that more effort need to be provided to Gender Offices to have
robust systems of collecting such data. Notwithstanding, the three output targets where
achievement was not full include mobilization of boys and men to promote positive
masculinity, development of a mobile application for Gender Based Violence reporting; as
well as conducting annual perception surveys. On perception surveys, the programme
planned for two, however, it achieved one. Notwithstanding, the survey provided valuable
information on social norms around violence against women and girls – and its high level
launch (drawing influential dignitaries) demonstrated UN Women strong commitment to
galvanize support in ending violence against women and girls in Malawi.
Table 6: Progress on output targets under elimination of violence against women and girls
thematic area*

OUTPUT 1: Women, girls, men and boys at community and individual levels are mobilized in favor of
respective relationships and gender equality
Baseline Target Achievement
Number of institutions at national and local 0 4 9
level that have adopted and are
implementing gender responsive policies and
laws
Number of institutions (district 0 6 6
councils/assemblies) that collect and use
data on GBV VAW and other harmful cultural
practices
OUTPUT 2: Capacity of local institutions to gather and utilize evidence prevent negative social norms and
to promote positive social norms, attitudes and behaviours is strengthened
Indicator 1.1A Number of men and boys 3,400 15000 4530
mobilized at community level promoting
positive masculinity
Indicator 1.1B Number of HeForShe champions 0 500 687
identified in schools, churches, and
communities to serve as gender equality
advocates, opinion leaders, initiators

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 Indicator 1.1C Number of GBV survivors linked 0 100 33
to Village Savings and Loans Associations
Groups
Indicator 1.1D Number of intergenerational 0 18 45
dialogues, community dialogues, public
debates, and deliberation around norms
Indicator 1.1E Develop a mobile application 0 1 0
for protecting and reporting cases of GBV

OUTPUT 3: Capacity of local actors including chiefs, religious leaders and Community Based
Organizations is strengthened to prevent negative social norms and other forms of discrimination.
Indicator 1.1.1A: number of annual perception 0 2 1
surveys conducted
Indicator 1.1.1B: number of knowledge 0 2 8
products developed for sharing using offline
and online platforms
Outcome 4: Capacity of local actors including chiefs, religious leaders and Community Based
Organizations is strengthened to prevent negative social norms and other forms of discrimination.
Number of community leaders mentored to 0 30 68
develop and revamp by-laws on harmful
cultural practices with support from UN
Women
*Source: Developed by the evaluator based on the analysis of the project documentation

Question 5: To what extent has the programme contributed to the achievement of the
intended outcomes?

Gender Based Governance

Finding 16: The programme managed to achieve all the set outcome indicator targets related
to the gender and governance programme thematic areas; and achievement was consistent
over the programme implementation period.
Analysis of programme documents indicates that programme under the gender and
governance component achieved all outcome indicator targets. Table 7 below shows that
under Outcome 1 the programme aimed to enhance implementation of normative
frameworks through implementation of various treaty body recommendations. At the end of
the programme, there were 18 recommendations implemented, up from the baseline figure
of 6. Similarly, on the outcome related to women leading in decision making positions; the
percentage increased from 6% at baseline in 2017 to 26% at the end of the programme. The
programme documents also report that the number of sectors that adopted gender
responsive budgeting as a result of UN Women support increased from 0 to 5 by the end of
the programme. On use and accessibility of statistics to inform policy, 2 national planning
documents fully utilized sex disaggregated data up from 0.
Table 7: Progress on gender and governance outcome targets*

Outcomes Baseline Target End of

program
2017 2018 2019 2020
Outcome 1.1: Enhanced implementation of national, regional and international normative and policy frameworks
Indicator 1.1A: Number of national 6 7 8 9 18
regional and international treaty

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 recommendations on GEWE
implemented.
Outcome 1.2: Women participate, lead and engage in decision making processes in public institutions.
Indicator 1.2A: Percentage share of 6% 8% 11% 16% 26%
women in public service.
Outcome 1.3: Formulation of National and local plans and budgets is gender responsive
Indicator 1.3A: Number of sectors 0 2 2 2 5
adopting GRB with support from UN
Women
Outcome 1.4: Gender statistics are accessible to all users to inform policy, advocacy and programming.
Indicator 1.4A: Number of national plans 0 1 2 2 2
that utilize sex disaggregated data
*Source: Developed by the evaluator based on the analysis of the project documentation

Finding 17: The evaluation notes that through sustained strategic engagement and support,
the programme contributed significantly towards strengthening the capacity of the national
gender machinery to steer achievements recorded.
The evaluation notes that the programme contributed significantly to the achievements
recorded on the outcomes under this component. It has to be pointed out that the
Government of Malawi has made tremendous in-roads in pushing for more women in
decision making positions and mainstreaming gender in policies and plans since the 1985
Nairobi United Nations Women’s conference; the 1995 Beijing Conference; the formulation of
the first National Gender Policy in 2000, which covered the period 2000-2005; and
subsequently, the implementation of the National Gender Programme (2004-2009. The
programme was designed to operationalize the National Gender Policy and which among
its 8 priority areas was institutional strengthening; economic empowerment; governance and
human rights. Since these efforts, there has been sustained efforts to ensure application of
key strategic normative frameworks and gender recommendations.
From discussions with various stakeholders the evaluation notes that UN Women with its
strategic positioning and comparative advantaged has significantly contributed to these
efforts through continuous provision of technical support as well as financial support to not
only the lead institution i.e. Ministry of Gender, but other lead actors in the national gender
machinery. UN Women through the programme ensured that treaty recommendations,
women leadership, and gender mainstreaming are continuously on the agenda (both at
higher and lower level decision making positions and structures) to sustain the gains the
country has made and continue to make on gender equality. This is the most significant
contribution UN Women made through this programme.
Women economic empowerment
Finding 18: The programme managed to achieve all the set outcome indicator targets related
to the women empowerment thematic areas; with consistency sustained across the
implementation period.
This component had two main outcomes, namely: increasing the capacity of women to
access financing to invest in climate smart agriculture and enterprise development; as well
as increasing access for rural women to secure and productive resources, markets and value-
addition activities. Analysis of programme documents reveal indicator targets for both the
outcomes were fully achieved. Impressive achievement was recorded on the number of
women whose knowledge improved as a result of capacity building interventions from the

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programme i.e. from 0 at baseline to 3949 at end programme. The programme also
contributed significantly in improving knowledge amongst beneficiaries on business
management, entrepreneurship, marketing, branding and capital opportunities. Refer to
table below.
Table 8: Progress on outcome targets under the women economic empowerment component*

Outcomes Baseline Target End of

program
2017 2018 2019 2020
Outcome 2.1: Women’s capacities to access financing to invest in Climate Smart Agriculture, and
enterprise development is increased
Indicator 2.1A: Number of selected 0 0 20 50 20
culturally and economically viable
enterprises.
Indicator 2.1B: Number of women and 0 100 200 300 3949
youth’s entrepreneurs selected

Outcome 2.2: Rural women and youths have increased access to secure and productive resources,
including markets and value-added activities

Indicator 2.2A: Percentage of women 0% 20% 35% 50% 64%

participating in value chains.
Indicator 2.2B: Percentage of women 0% 12% 28% 50% 77%
with access to viable markets
*Source: Developed by the evaluator based on the analysis of the project documentation

Finding 19: From the discussions with beneficiaries, the “We now have branded food package
evaluation ascertains that the programme made wrappers and we change designs of our
meaningful in-roads in improving knowledge and skills of bans even though we use the same
the beneficiaries from this programme component. recipe. People like new things, so once
they see a new appearance they get
The evaluation did extensive interviews, complimented with attracted and buy more of it. We now
observations, with a good number of programme know that bans need a drink hence our
short term goal is based on getting a
beneficiaries who received support from the programme
fridge to keep refreshments.”
under this component. The evaluation found that almost all Cooperative member, Karonga
beneficiaries appreciated the knowledge and skills gained
from trainings received from MHUB and MACOHA. In
Karonga and Salima for instances, women groups and cooperatives “MHUB came with bank
were able to mention improvements they have made as a result of specialist who helped us to
business skills trainings MHUB organized through their boot-camps. In directly get information and
all groups and cooperatives visited, beneficiaries indicated they have business loan facilities in
improved their business planning and budgeting, business financing banks. I personally, took
advantage of their presence
and credit facilities; record keeping as well as marketing and and learnt a lot, replacing all
positioning. the hearsays.” Cooperative
member, Karonga

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Example of a chart for planning and budgeting at Twambilire Abattoir; a cooperative that
was supported with training under the programme.

Source: Evaluation data

Groups and cooperatives that were already somewhat advanced indicated that they are
making attempts to meet product regulatory standards to ensure certification as well as
linkages with bigger private sector institutions for market opportunities. These in-roads could
be attributed to a number of factors: some groups had received training before from other
previous projects e.g. through the FIDP programme in Karonga and others in Salima; and this
programme refreshed their knowledge and skills; some groups had participated in major
national market fairs which gave them immense exposure; the programme through MHUB
helped in designing and producing branding and marketing materials.
On the other hand, beneficiaries supported by MACOHA also indicated that the training they
received in tailoring and cloth design will help in diversifying their livelihoods, thereby
improving their lives in the long run. They only expressed concerns in terms of the distances to
the training centre (in case of Dedza whose terrain is hilly and this affected mobility for those
disabled); and also limited start-up materials received. MACOHA wanted to experiment
supporting women in groups to galvanize high value market opportunities; and also as result
of the limited start-up kit budget. This arrangement needed more further strengthening as the
groups did not receive meaningful capacity support in group business dynamics. Overall, the
programme could be commended for the partnership with MACOHA – an organization with
expertize and bigger geographical reach in terms of service people with disabilities in Malawi.
This was a strategic choice and in support of UN Women’s commitment on inclusion; and also
UN Women’s ambition to drive attainment of SDGs especially when it comes to reaching out
to marginalized groups with services. A more strategic partnership is called for based on this
argument.

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Beneficiaries under MACOHA Chitala Woman beneficiary for MACOHA in
Women’s Group in Salima. The Dedza. The beneficiary was enrolled into
beneficiaries were appreciative of the skills the programme and provided with training
gained and now operate a shop together. in tailoring and cloth design because she
They indicated that they are now able to was a caregiver for a child with a disability.
meet their basic needs from profits they She indicated that the training helped her
get from this shop. diversify her livelihood and thereby
boosting her earnings to be able to support
her household.

Photo credit: Evaluation data

In addition, UN Women demonstrated innovation in undertaking high level strategic

engagements with the private sector, especially finance institutions, pushing for reforms in
financial services. The push for inclusive financial services was a plus on the part of the
programme; owing to the many challenges marginalized women face when it comes to
accessing financial capital to boost their enterprises. The programme worked with the
Reserve Bank of Malawi and other private banks on the same – with all these introducing
innovations to enable women access finance. Owing to its strategic positioning, UN Women
should continue this strategic leverage to ensure rural marginalized women have financial
capital markets to explore.
Elimination of violence against women and girls
Finding 20: The programme did not achieve the set outcome indicator target related to the
elimination of violence against women and girls programme thematic areas.
Under this component the main outcome was on transforming social norms, attitudes and
practices hindering women and girls rights attainment. The component targeted to reduce
the proportion of women and girls aged 15 years and subjected to physical, sexual or
psychological violence (aligned to SDG indicator 5.2.1). Analysis of the programme
document indicate a reduction of from 42% (at baseline) to 38% (at end of programme).
Refer to table below.

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Table 9: Progress on outcome indicators on the elimination of violence against women and girls

Outcomes Baseline Target End of

program
2017 2018 2019 2020
Outcome 3.1: Social norms, attitudes and practices hindering women and girl’s rights are transformed at
individual and community levels
Indicator 3.1A: Proportion of ever 42% 28% 35% 20% 38%
partnered women and girls aged 15 years
and older subjected to physical, sexual or
psychological violence by a current or
former intimate partner in the previous 12
months, by form of violence and by age
(SDG indicator 5.2.1)
*Source: Developed by the evaluator based on the analysis of the project documentation

Participants in the evaluation such as school heads indicated

“As a headmaster, I thought imposing
that they benefitted from the programme. School heads
fear through shouting was the best
indicated that they are now able to decipher between way of presenting authority but now I
negative social norms which perpetuate violence against have learnt that words can cause as
women and girls. This is equally true with men who were much harm as physical assault. I am
engaged as male champions as well as HeforShe champions; more approachable now and I believe
they were all positive regarding the contributions made by the I respectfully earned my authority
without being feared." School Head
programme to reduce negative social norms.
teacher, Karonga.

“I made sure that the community members are aware of the first institutions they can approach in terms of
Gender Based Violence cases and other concerns. These include churches, the Police and CBOs. As a
headman, I refer certain cases where they ought to go to relieve my workload and to directly help the victims”.
Village Head, Mulanje

Finding 21: The evaluation finds that interventions under this component provided an
opportunity for UN Women and implementing partners to learn more on how social norms,
attitudes and practices could strategically be challenged and transformed to ensure
reduction in violence against women and girls.
Work under this component was done at several levels and mainstreamed with the other
thematic components. This is a plus for the programme because social norms, attitudes, and
practices require a multi-faceted approach – one which is transformational and ground-
breaking in reaching out to ‘institutions’ that perpetuate such norms. It is encouraging to note
that the programme directly engaged local level leaders, structures, opinion leaders,
women, men, boys and girls challenging social cultural norms that perpetuate violence
against women and girls. Cases in point was to use approaches such as ‘male-champions’
to spearhead discussions around social norms, attitudes and practices. The other case in
point is that through the programme, UN Women continued its efforts in strategically
engaging local leaders such as chiefs as key champions for social change. This is key in
context such as Malawi where traditional leadership structures are still powerful when it comes
to sustaining (or not) social-cultural ‘institutions’. Further, by including an element of research,
was also a crucial win on this component. The programme undertook a perception study on
social norms – and such evidenced based and research grounded advocacy attracts
credibility and potentially key in policy making processes.

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 Question 6: Are there differences in the achievement of outputs and results across
beneficiaries?

Finding 22: The evaluation finds that the programme registered meaningful achievements for
beneficiaries across all the outcomes and outputs for the thematic areas; however, with the
gender based governance area registering milestones which potentially contributed to
sustaining the momentum on gender equality in the country. This is because the gender
based governance thematic area is building on a previous programme (2014-2018) which
UN Women implemented.
Analysis of results in programme documents as well as discussions with key evaluation
participants during the course of the study, this evaluation notes that the gender based
governance thematic area registered strategic results than the women economic
empowerment and elimination of violence against women and girls thematic areas. The
main reasons for this are mainly two-fold. First; the component rode on the successes of the
previous efforts undertaken by UN Women with a similar programme implemented between
2014 and 2018. This programme aimed at achieving similar results and targeted almost the
same stakeholders as the current programme under evaluation. During the first programme,
especially early years, UN Women, was still ‘young’ in terms of its presence in Malawi.
Evaluation of this programme noted that along the course of implementation UN Women
gained considerable in-roads in influencing and technical support to the national gender
machinery.22 Secondly, there has been a lot of on-going efforts by other local and
international organizations in building the capacity of the national gender machinery in
gender mainstreaming (policy planning and budgeting) as well as lobbying for an increase
in the proportion of women in key leadership positions. To mention but a few these
organizations include UNFPA, OSISA, UNICEF, USAID and EU (international); which also have
strong partnerships with local organizations such as NGO GCN, MHEN, CSEC, OSISA and
MEJN. The local organizations started lobbying for gendered planning and budgeting way
back in the early 2000s.
While this is the case, beneficiaries from interventions under the women economic
empowerment and elimination of violence against women and girls equally benefited from
the programme. Women groups the evaluation interacted with shared strong positive
sentiments regarding the importance of the knowledge they gained through the
programme. While some of the groups had benefited from other big country programmes
before (e.g. refer to chapter one); they pointed out that capacity building trainings delivered
under the programme were unique – referencing to the boot-camps which MHUB organized.
Other beneficiaries such as those supported by MACOHA also expressed strong sentiments
that they could not have had the opportunity for gaining skills in the trade earlier mentioned
given their context and opportunities available.
For the elimination of violence against women and girls, more sustained efforts might be
needed to make meaningful and strategic gains. This can be achieved through continued
partnerships with locally rooted organizations such as MAGGA which proved very innovative
in terms of their approaches with school-going children and young people as well as school

22UN Women Malawi, 2019, End of Programme Evaluation - Advancing and Sustaining Gender Based
Governance in Malawi 2014 – 2018

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structures. School children which the evaluation interacted with also expressed strong positive
sentiments regarding the benefits of the trainings they received from MAGGA through girl
guides and boy guides clubs. MANASO was stronger in interacting with local level structures
consisting of marginalized groups such as those affected by HIV/AIDS by working with
community based organizations and other local structures. Discussions with both the
beneficiaries of these two components and staff of the two implementing partners all agreed
on the need for sustained efforts rather than one-off projects as this may have appeared in
some cases.
Programme efficiency
The section discusses programme efficiency, guided by four main questions. It will discuss the
extent to which the programme expenditure was in line with the approved programme
budget; as well as under each of the thematic areas. Discussion on the same will lead to
conclusions regarding the monitoring and control environment put in place by UN Women
regarding budgetary resources for the programme. The second part of the section discussions
on activity implementation vis-à-vis planned timelines. Again, this will lead to discussions and
conclusion regarding the monitoring and control environment of the programme. The third
guiding question is related to analysis of programme costs spend on interventions versus what
was spent on management. Finally, the section will look at the commitment by the
programme in terms of costs towards monitoring and accountability systems to stakeholders
and beneficiaries.

Question 8: To what extent did the programme management effective to achieve results?

Finding 23: The programme structure enabled close working relationship between UN Women
Country Office, government, implementing partners leading to better technical and financial
accountability of programme results.
At Country Office level, overall responsibility of managing the programme rested with the
Country Representative who was supported by three specialists for each of the thematic
areas. These Specialists supervised programme associates who were responsible for day to
day running of the programme. The programme also supported recruitment of a Monitoring
Evaluation and Reporting Specialist and Finance Associate. Further, the operations section
provided technical support in adhering to financial management procedures and
contractual obligations. The monitoring and evaluation specialist supported planning,
learning and lead in monitoring and reporting of achieved results. This arrangement led to
high productivity and effective resource allocation.
Further, each implementing partner was supported, on part time basis, three key positions of
Executive Director, Programme Officer and Finance Officer. These formed a project
management team at implementing partner level. For purposes of enhancing coordination
with government and sustainability of funded interventions, an arrangement was made
where the Ministry of Gender and Ministry of Agriculture nominated 3 focal persons at
specialist level to support implementation of the programme. These were the political
empowerment specialist, the EVAW Specialist (provided by the Ministry of Gender) and the
WEE Specialist based at the Ministry of Agriculture – Department responsible for extension
services. These assisted in providing on going technical support, ensured alignment,
promoted, and facilitated consistency of communication between the government, UN
Women Malawi Country Office and the three implementing partners.

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 Question 9: To what extent did programme implement interventions within planned
timelines?

Finding 24: Overall the relationship between inputs and outputs was timely and met expected
standards.
All programme interventions were completed by June 2021 except for the programme
evaluation. Disbursement of funds and programme implementation was in some cases
affected by delays in submitting, reviewing and approval of submitted liquidations. These did
not emanate from shortfalls in programme design. The COVID-19 situation and 2019 tripartite
elections also negatively affected delivery. Nevertheless, UN Women organized financial
clinics, results based management sessions involving implementing partners, government
stakeholders and UN Women staff. Tailor made technical support visits were done to address
specific short comings both technical and financial. The evaluation, however, notes the
following things requiring consideration for purposes of maximizing results. Duration and scale
of funded projects was short for some implementing partners. WILSA implemented
interventions for two years, MACOHA supported two major groups in Salima and one group
in Dedza – the scale could have been increased. MAGGA worked with two CBOs.
Complementarity of the interventions was also not clear – different components were
implemented in different districts and targeted different target beneficiaries.

Question 10: What was percentage of the total programme cost was spent on
activities/interventions versus what was spent on management on monitoring and
accountability to stakeholders and beneficiaries?

Finding 25: Resources have been managed well. Overall expenditures were within what was
approved and agreed. Allocation of resources was done most strategically and with
sustainability in mind.
The evaluation finds that programme resources have been managed well. Overall
expenditures were within what was approved and agreed. Allocation of resources was done
most strategically and with sustainability in mind. The evaluation finds that 79.6 percent of the
total budget was allocated towards actual implementation of which 18.2 percent towards
management and the remaining 2.3 percent on monitoring and evaluation. However, the
evaluation noted that 21.6 percent of the total budget was transferred to Implementing
partners and this means that 53.3 percent was spent on direct implementation. Allocation of
resources considered the need to prioritize women, women entrepreneurs, persons living with
disabilities and persons living with HIV and Aids. Resources were also made available to
integrate visibility and communication.

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Figure 3: Programme budgetary allocations on management, monitoring, activity
implementation*

Percentage

22% 18% 2%
5%

53%

Management Monitoring & evaluation

Activity implementation COVID-19 response
Implementing partners (all total)

*Source: Developed by the evaluator based on the analysis of the project documentation

Finding 26: The programme responded to emerging risks – 4.7 percent of the last tranche was
allocated towards COVID-19 response as part of mitigating risks.
During the final year, programme implementation met with the COVID-19 pandemic which
was declared a public health emergency of international concern in February 2020 by the
World Health Organization. Following outbreaks in many countries, including Malawi, it was
also declared an emergency by the Government of Malawi and with this a lot of restrictions
on public life were put in place to contain the pandemic. Like the other UN Agencies, UN
Women Malawi supported government efforts to mitigate the pandemic. At office level, the
Operations Manager took a leading role in managing risks such as these. The office enforced
adherence to donor and UN implementation guidelines. With regard to management of
financials risks, capacity assessments were undertaken for each prospective implementing
partner. The evaluation further notes that implementing partners also mainstreamed COVID-
19 mitigation measures to ensure staff and beneficiaries are protected.
Programme coherence
The evaluation understands coherence to mean the extent to which a project or a
programme is compatible with other interventions implemented by UN Women or other key
stakeholders within the same period. Discussions therefore were guided by two main
questions. The first question looked at the extent to which the programme supported or
undermined other UN Women interventions. The second question discusses the extent to
which the programme also supported or undermined interventions implemented by other
key stakeholders. The idea behind is to understand the synergies, interlinkages and
coordination mechanisms that existed or were put in place. The 2030 Agenda call for

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enhanced multi stakeholder partnerships to share knowledge, expertize, technology and
financial resources in pursuit of the SDGs.

Question 12: To what extent did other UN Women interventions support or undermine the
programme and vice versa?

Finding 27: The WEP programme was compatible with UN Women global strategic plan. The
WEP inherited and directly contributed to achievement Outcomes 2, 3 and 4 of the Global
Strategic Plan.
The WEP programme was compatible with UN Women global strategic plan. The WEP
inherited and directly contributed to achievement Outcomes 2, 3 and 4 of the Global
Strategic Plan. This was achieved through the three programme components of Gender
Based Governance, Women Empowerment and Elimination of Violence against Women and
Girls.
The Gender Based Governance contributed to Outcome 2 namely Women lead, participate
in and benefit equally from governance systems of the UN Global Strategic Plan. Specifically,
the programme supported women’s political participation and leadership, and gender-
responsive planning into this Outcome to leverage their mutually reinforcing nature. This
included support for political decision-making bodies (including parliaments, local
governments, political parties; more national and local plans, strategies, policies, and
budgets are gender responsive; and more and better quality and disaggregated data and
statistics are available to promote and track progress on gender equality and women’s
empowerment. This Outcome 2 contributes to SDGs 1,2,3,5,10,16 and 17.
The Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls (EVAW) Component contributed
Outcome 3 namely Women have income security, decent work, and economic autonomy.
The WEP focused its contribution on supporting women cooperatives and enterprises for them
to access and use productive resources and engage in sustainable agriculture to increase
their income security, work conditions and resilience to climate change. This outcome 3
contributes to SDGs 1 to 13 and 16.
The EVAW Component contributed Outcome 4 namely: All women and girls live a life free
from all forms of violence. Through the WEP, stakeholders are better able to prevent violence
against women and girls. This outcome 4 contributes to SDGs 1,3,4,5,6,11 and 16.

Question 13: To what extent was the programme consistent with interventions implemented
by other actors? What were the synergies and interlinkages?

Finding 28: The WEP also supported implementation of programmes and projects
implemented under the Country Cooperation Framework (UNDAF) and those implemented
by other stakeholders within the gender sector.
In the UNDAF, UN Women led implementation of OUTCOME 2: Gender equality and the
empowerment of women and girls in Malawi is enhanced the United Nations Development
Assistance Framework Malawi (2019 – 2023). Using this leadership role, the Country office
contributed to better coordination between UN implementing agencies. Working with other
UN Agencies and other partners, UN Women strengthened implementation of gender
equality act and other gender related laws and policies, strengthen the capacity of the
gender machinery to implement international and regional frameworks and ensured gender
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concerns are mainstreamed in all programmes. The comparative advantage of UN Women
on issues of mainstreaming gender equality was highly acknowledged by government
stakeholders interviewed during the evaluation. Stakeholders acknowledged that there are
similar projects being implemented by international and national non-governmental
organizations with better opportunities for complementarity. For example, the programme
complemented efforts of the Spotlight Initiative delivered by government, United Nations,
European Union and civil society organizations.23 The initiative commenced in January 2019
(and will end in 2022) is focused on eliminating violence against women and girls, including
sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices.
Finding 29: Implementation of the WEP enhanced synergies and interlinkages in between
projects implemented by the Malawi Country office. The interventions were consistent with
the relevant international norms and standards to which UN Women contributes to.
The WEP was the main (flagship) anchoring programme with other interventions carried out
by the UN Women Malawi Country Office in the past four years. The evaluation established
that the Country Office implemented the Malawi Electoral Support Project with UNDP which
aimed at enhancing political participation of women in politics; the EU funded Spotlight
programme being jointly implemented with UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF, UBRAF Project; climate
smart agriculture projects funded by Standard Bank, KOIKA and Malawi Government
(ASWAP) jointly being implemented with the Ministry of Agriculture. The evaluation
established that there are synergies and interlinkages between these projects and the WEP
specific interventions.
Programme impact
This section discusses the project contribution to achievement of its ultimate goal of ensuring
women and girls enjoy their full rights and positively contribute to, and benefit from, the
country’s development. The evaluation takes cognizant of the fact that impact goals are
long-term and take longer to achieve. The WEP project was implemented for three years,
between 2017 and 2021 and thus it is unwarranted to expect it to achieve impact goals.
Therefore, this section will mainly discuss direct or indirect potential consequences of the
intervention on intended beneficiaries. It will look at potential elements of the results achieve
that may, in one way or the other, contribute towards the programme’s impact goal.
Discussions under the section will be guided by three main questions as below.

Question 14: To what extent did the programme contribute towards the intended
programme longer term (impact goal)?

Finding 30: The programme has made an important contribution towards its ultimate goal of
ensuring that women and girls enjoy their full rights and positively contribute to, and benefit
from social, economic, and political developments
The evaluation notes that the programme has made considerable contribution towards
achieving the impact goal; although more continued efforts to anchor the gains would be
required. As earlier noted, the programme recorded substantial gains on the gender based
governance. Discussions with stakeholders under the thematic area revealed that the efforts
by the programme to build the capacity of key institutions on gender significantly contribute
towards policy and programme improvements. The other key in-roads were made regarding

23 Refer to: https://malawi.un.org/index.php/en/139923-spotlight-initiative-report-malawi-2020

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influencing – especially on improving the proportion of women in leadership positions. All
women who were supported to contest as members of parliament and councilors were
appreciative of the programme. They indicated that the programme helped a lot in terms of
improving their outlook on life i.e. the knowledge gained is used beyond elections.
Women Councilors in
Mangochi supported by
the programme.
Women councilors
received training from
CCJP in campaign
tactics, leadership and
communication tactics
among others. Photo
Credit: Evaluation data

Further, results registered under the women economic empowerment have the potential to
improve the lives of programme beneficiaries over the long term. Women beneficiaries
interviewed during the evaluation, especially those trained by MACOHA, indicated that their
lives have begun to improve. They noted that proceeds they get from their tailoring
businesses are used to meet some of their household basic needs. They are also using
proceeds from their businesses to support other livelihood ventures such as farming. The
programme also made a contribution on elimination of violence against women and girls.
The social engagements done with community structures, through MANASO, have the
potential to contribute to improving social norms, attitudes and practices. Equally, the
engagement done on school going children are impactful over the long term.

Question 16: To what extent did the programme contribute towards strengthening
accountability mechanisms on gender equality and human rights?

Finding 31: The programme contributed to strengthening accountability mechanisms on

gender equality and human rights by supporting government (duty bearers) to follow-up on
commitments as well as building the capacity of citizens (rights holders).
Accountability entails duty bearers accounting for promises and services to right holders, and
rights holders having a voice to follow up on the promises and demand for quality services.
The evaluation finds that the programme supported government to follow up on international
and national commitments on gender. For example, the programme supported government
to supported government to follow up on the Beijing Declaration+25 reporting mechanism
and national review; AU Protocol on the rights of women in Africa; 8th CEDAW state Party
Report; and the SADC Protocol Barometer among others. The programme also supported
operations of sector workings groups and technical working groups – key institutional
arrangements put in place by government in 2008 to provide a platform for stakeholders to
inform policy as well as follow-up on policy commitments and programmes.

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The programme also implemented interventions to build the capacity of citizens to hold duty
bearers to account. For example, in Lupembe ADC, a women’s group which was formed
through the programme, cited examples of efforts they made to follow up on development
projects in their area following trainings they received from CCJP. The women group followed
up on the completion of the ‘Mother’s waiting shelter’ at Lupembe Health Centre and
teachers house at Lupembe Community Day Secondary School. The waiting shelter had
taken long to complete and women who came to hospital to deliver had to wait outside and
sleep under a tree. Refer below photos showing the completed shelter and the tree women
used to wait.

Photo credit: Evaluator.

In Mangochi, members of the Nkope Area Development Committee indicated that they are
now able to follow up on local funding mechanisms such as the Constituency Development
Fund; especially the school bursaries component.
Programme sustainability
The evaluation also measured whether or not the benefits of the programme are likely to
continue (enduring elements) after the programme is concluded. This was done by looking
at how the programme strengthened capacity to ensure continuation of efforts and benefits;
accountability and oversight systems put in place to ensure gains made are not lost; as well
as the programme’s potential for scaling up.

Question 17: To what extent is capacity developed to ensure sustainability of efforts and
benefits?

Finding 32: The benefits from the programme are likely to continue owing to capacity building
efforts that were implemented with the national gender machinery and other key government
institutions.

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The programme worked with the lead ministry (i.e. Ministry of Gender) and other institutions in
the national gender machinery to build capacity in gender mainstreaming and use of gender
sensitive data for policy planning and implementation. The
“Our ADCs have female
programme also worked with these stakeholders to ensure leaders. This simple
government monitors implementation of key international gender equality consideration
commitments. Furthermore, the programme, through CCJP, built has influenced and
the capacity of local structures such as Area Development inspired other females to
Committees and Village Development Committees. As alluded to take up challenging roles,
especially roles in
by evaluation participants these efforts are key for the
community
sustainability. The benefits gained from the capacity building development. Now it is no
efforts will continue beyond the programme. This is equally true for longer men making the
capacity building efforts that were undertaken under the women decisions.” ADC member,
economic empowerment and elimination of violence against Mangochi
women and girls components. All the beneficiaries from the
women economic empowerment component who participated in the evaluation indicated
that they will continue to use the knowledge and skills gained. The groups which were
supported under Mhub were still in operation at the time of the evaluation. Similarly,
beneficiaries from the tailoring and cloth design skills training were all utilizing the skills gained
through mostly their own small-scale businesses they had started.

Question 18: How will the benefits of the intervention be secured for rights holders (i.e. what
accountability and oversight systems were established)?

Finding 33: The programme was implemented through existing government structures (at
national and local levels) as well as non-governmental partners and the evaluation finds that
these are potential accountability and oversight safeguards.
As discussed under effectiveness and impact, the programme was implemented through
existing government structures as well as local non-governmental organizations. In other
words, the programme did not create own structures for implementation. This approach was
a plus to ensure sustainability of results. Discussions with local implementing partners indicated
that even though the programme elapsed, they will continue to interact with most of their
beneficiaries to monitor progress they are making. They also indicated that they are using the
results of the programme for engagement with stakeholders for purposes of promoting the
rights of women and girls in the country.
Further, by working on strengthening the capacity of government to monitor implementation
of key gender commitments, the programme directly supported accountability on gender
equality. Officials at the Ministry of Gender indicated that they will continue to monitor
implementation of key international gender commitments; identifying gaps and making
necessary improvements on programmes that support gender equality and women
empowerment. The programme also supported women to participate in key decision making
positions. It also built the capacity of women from various government departments and local
non-governmental organizations in leadership skills. Building the capacity of women to lead
is very key for gender equality and women empowerment.

Question 19: Is there evidence that the initiative is likely to grow – scaling up and out –
beyond the programme life?

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Finding 34: The benefits accrued from the programme are likely to continue; and there is
potential for scalability beyond the programme life.
The evaluation notes that the benefits from the programme will continue. Although the
programme was short (i.e. most evaluation participants felt that the 3 year programme period
was short); the interventions have proved to be effective. As earlier said, beneficiaries from
all the three thematic areas alluded to the fact that they will continue enjoying the benefits
gained from the programme. This evaluation also notes that all the three components have
potential for scalability; albeit with a much more aligned approach when it comes to
beneficiary targeting, than was the case for enhanced and sustained impact. Under the
gender and governance component, government stakeholders consulted indicated that
monitoring of international gender commitments is institutionalized and will continue beyond
the programme. The evaluation also notes that the programme contributed to strengthening
gender mainstreaming through capacity building in gender responsive planning and
budgeting. This has further contributed to the momentum on gender mainstreaming in
government agencies. The programme also made meaningful contributions in building the
capacity of women groups and cooperatives in business management, marketing and
branding. As earlier noted, the groups continue to use the knowledge and skills gained and
future programmes may want to build on this. Further, the evaluation has noted that there is
reduction in reported cases on violence against women and girls in the programme target
districts. Consultations made during the evaluation revealed that the councils will continue
addressing root causes of violence perpetuated against women and girls.
Gender and human rights considerations
The evaluation also examined the extent to which gender equality and human rights were
considered in the design and implementation. Consideration of gender and human rights
ensures that the programme contribute towards improving the quality of life for right-holders
in the longer term as well as strengthening the capacity of duty bearers and other actors to
fulfill their obligations and responsibilities24. It is important that programming within UN Women
not only promote the welfare of right-holders and obligations of duty bearers, but also
encourages broader adherence and compliance to the global human rights and gender
equality framework.25 Discussion in the section were guided by three questions as below. The
section also pays particular attention towards inclusion of the most vulnerable groups,
including those with disabilities.

Question 20: To what extent did the programme integrate gender equality and human
rights in the design and implementation?

Finding 35: There is evidence that gender and human rights were integrated into the WEP
programme; however, benefits would have been more sustained if communities benefited
equally from interventions under the three components.
UN Women, like all other UN Agencies consider human rights and gender equality as central
pillars of their programming. It is thus fundamental that programmes contribute meaningfully
towards addressing root causes of human rights violations and discrimination on the basis of
gender. To demonstrate this, programming should reflect principles enshrined in the key
international treaties and recent developments on human rights and gender. The evaluation

24 Refer to UN Women, 2015, Global Evaluation Report Assessment and Analysis System (GERAAS)
25 Refer to UN Women, 2015, How to manage gender-responsive evaluation: evaluation handbook

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finds that the design of the programme took this into account – firstly by ensuring that
principles in treaties such as CEDAW inform programme design; and secondly, by
mainstreaming interventions targeting the national gender machinery to adhere and
implement such treaties.
The evaluation also finds that the programme recognized that the promotion of human rights
and gender equality require a multi-faceted approach, especially in the context of Malawi
where violation of the same is intricate. The programme developed interventions that
targeted both duty bearers as well as rights holders across all the three components. It is also
important to note, as an example, that under the women economic empowerment
component, the programme also integrated gender equality training and awareness. Project
beneficiaries also mentioned that while they were trained in their respective trades and
livelihoods areas, gender equality awareness was also integrated. The main challenge
observed by the evaluation is that a full integrated approach was not well pronounced for
sustained impact in a given context or community. For example, in Karonga, Mangochi and
Mzimba all the three components were implement, however, in different communities in
many a case. The argument advanced by the evaluation is that the programme would have
made it deliberate to have all the components implemented equally in the same districts
and same communities – to deepen impact in addressing a challenge that is multi-faceted.
District officials consulted in Karonga, for example, mentioned that at some point they could
not fully understand what UN Women interventions were aiming to achieve; owing to the
different components which may have looked not interlinked.

Question 21: To what extent did the programme include the most vulnerable groups
(including those with disabilities) in design and implementation?

Finding 36: There is limited evidence to demonstrate that programme beneficiaries i.e.
women and other vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities were fully consulted
when coming up with the programme; let alone fully engaging them to inform programme
implementation as active participants.
It has earlier been alluded to that the programme undertook a solid secondary review of
literature to identify broader challenges women and other vulnerable groups face in the
country. This is positive in a way, owing to the manner in which the programme was
developed i.e. with short-time scales. However, the evaluation notes that at design phase,
UN Women would have devised deliberate mechanisms to consult beneficiaries to inform
interventions and attendant approaches. The evaluation finds that most beneficiaries,
especially those that benefited from economic empowerment and EVAW activities, felt they
needed to be helped because they are ‘poor’ and ‘disadvantaged.’ This defeats the whole
human rights underlying principles of equality inherent in being human. It is important that as
much as possible programme interventions should engage beneficiaries as active recipient
rather than passive recipients. From the way a programme is designed and approaches
determined, mechanisms have to be developed to ensure beneficiaries have a voice. Of
equally importance is to ensure feedback loops are in place for beneficiaries to inform
improvement in activity implementation.26

26FAO, 2003, Participatory Development: Guidelines on Beneficiary Participation in Agricultural and Rural
Development. Refer to https://www.fao.org/3/ad817e/ad817e00.htm#Contents

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Notwithstanding, the programme also made efforts to ensure inclusion of people with
disabilities and most vulnerable and economically marginalized groups as beneficiaries. The
evaluation notes that the partnership made with MACOHA in this regard is commendable,
owing to its comparative advantage in working with people with disabilities. The other
example is the partnership with MANASO, an organization which works with people affected
by HIV/AIDS in various ways. This demonstrates commitment by UN Women to ensure that
programming is in the spirit of key human rights treaties as well as the SDGs. The SDGs
particularly highlights to ensure development interventions do not ‘leave anyone behind’ –
rather it reaches even the most vulnerable of groups and individuals.

Question 22: To what extent did the programme contribute to challenging existing power
dynamics to promote gender equality and human rights?

Finding 37: The programme contributed to addressing the root causes of gender inequality
and changing the dynamics of power relations; albeit, challenging social norms require more
sustained interventions for meaningful results.
The programme recognized the fact that addressing power relations will require tackling
informal institutions that perpetuate inequality such as social and cultural norms. The
programme made deliberate effort under the EVAW component to challenge informal
institutions. The component worked with MAGGA for example, an organization with requisite
knowledge in social mobilization amongst young women and girls, to challenge social norms.
Further, the programme worked with male champions (such as religious leaders, chiefs,
opinion leaders) to promote positive masculinity and challenge prevailing social norms in the
process. It is also said that power imbalances are perpetuated by women’s low self-esteem
as well low economic status among others. In addressing these, the programme
mainstreamed interventions aimed at building the capacity of women to be assertive.

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 Conclusions
recommendations
and lessons learnt

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This section presents the main conclusions of the evaluation. The conclusions are based on
the major findings observed in this report. It has to be acknowledged that the findings largely
reflects the evaluators review, analysis and triangulation of all information collected through
desk review and interviews done at national, district and community levels. Presentation of
the conclusions is aligned to the major sections of the evaluation findings i.e. on programme
relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, impact, sustainability as well as gender and
human rights considerations.
Conclusions
Conclusion 1: The programme was aligned to the needs of beneficiaries across all the three
thematic areas as well as key normative frameworks such as CEDAW, SDGs, MGDS III as well
as the national gender policy. This is a demonstration of commitment by UN Women Malawi
to ensure that programme directly tackles challenges women face in the country. It is also a
demonstration of commitment to ensure key gender commitments are implemented to uplift
the lives of women in Malawi. While this is the case, more stakeholder and beneficiary
consultations would have strengthened the programme interventions in meeting the needs
of women and girls. (Related to findings 1-12 summarized below)
a) The programme was strongly aligned to the needs of beneficiaries across all the three
thematic areas. The evaluation notes that the gender and governance programme
component directly responded to capacity gaps within the gender machinery. It also
supported accountability mechanisms at both national and local levels. On the other
hand, the women economic empowerment programme also responded to the needs
of women when it comes to improving their livelihoods. Women beneficiaries
indicated that the programme helped to build their skills and knowledge their
respective activities. Equally, the programmes interventions on eliminating violence
against women and girls was aligned to beneficiary needs to live a life without
violence.
b) The evaluation concludes that the programme was also aligned with international
and national policy commitments. These commitments include CEDAW, SDGs, MGDS
III and the National Gender Policy among others. This alignment is a clearly indication
on the part of UN Women to support and complement government efforts to
implementation of key policy commitments. The programme also worked with
national level structures and local non-governmental organizations – thereby aligning
to existing structures for sustainability.
Conclusion 2: Overall, all the three thematic areas achieved output and outcomes targets
that were set despite the challenging context in which the programme was implemented. In
2019 and 2020, the environment in Malawi was characterized by post-elections disputes as
well as the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic; and all these provided a difficult context to
deliver programme interventions. Notwithstanding, achievements were recorded due to a
number of reasons some of which include the choice of implementing partners, previous and
other interventions made as largely the programme built on and complimented similar
interventions implemented by UN Women, Government of Malawi and other local and
international organizations. For programmes like the WEP, whose implementation period was
rather short, it is important that they build on previous similar interventions or complement
existing interventions in order to register meaningful results. (Related to findings 13 – 22
summarized below)

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 a) Overall, the programme has registered results across all the three programme
components. The gender and governance component aimed at enhancing the
capacity of the national gender machinery to fulfill international and local policy
commitments as well as strengthening use of data for improved policy and
programming. This evaluation concludes that these ambitions have largely been met
– owing to intensive engagements with government and stakeholders the programme
made. This programme also registered the said milestones owing to a previous gender
and governance programme implemented between 2014-2018; and other
programmes implemented by government and stakeholders (over the years there has
been a number of programmes promoting gender equality by way of enhancing the
capacity of the national gender machinery to fulfill policy commitments). The
programme also registered results in building the capacity of rights holders to demand
quality services. However, more effort is needed strengthen accountability
mechanisms with local level structures; as well as sustaining efforts in building capacity
of rights holders.
b) The women empowerment programme also registered meaningful achievements.
Members of women groups or cooperatives indicated that the programme managed
to support them with knowledge on how to manage their businesses and market their
products. The programme also made strides in engaging government and financial
institutions pushing for inclusive business financing products, especially with private
sector banks. While this is the case, the evaluation concludes that women still find it
difficult to access financing to boost their businesses as well as finding profitable and
stable markets. This is where more work is needed. The programme also registered
considerable milestones in vocational skills development for marginalized women
through training in tailoring and clothing design. Women beneficiaries trained have
set up small-scale tailoring shops whose earnings are supporting their household basic
needs.
c) Further, the programme also registered results regarding on the elimination of violence
against women and girls component. The evaluation has noted a reduction in
reported cases of violence against women and girls. While this is may not give a
wholesome picture as many cases of violence go unreported, the milestones
achieved, if sustained have the potential to be impactful. The work with male
champions as well as school clubs is very innovative and could be sustained.
Conclusion 3: Overall, the programme was efficient owing to a well thought-through
programme management structure as well as robust monitoring mechanism put in place.
Each thematic component was led by specialists which coordinated directly with
implementing partners to provide technical support; at the same time the specialist led in
implementation of activities in liaison with government. Monitoring mechanism that were put
in place enabled a close follow-up of activities and as such most interventions were
implemented on time, with the exception of interventions that were shifted due to the COVID-
19 pandemic. The evaluation also concludes that the programme used the resources well;
with a good chunk of the budget allocated for activity implementation. (Related to findings
23 – 26 summarized below)
a) The programme structure was well thought-through; leading to efficiency in the
delivery of interventions; as well as management of resources. At UN Women country
office, the programme was structured in a way that ensured close technical execution
and supervision of activities through thematic specialists and associates as well as

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 focal points with relevant government ministries. This enabled activities to be
implemented well despite the challenging environment (i.e. the programme met with
post-electoral disputes and the COVID-19 pandemic in the second and third year of
implementation.
b) The evaluation also concludes that allocation of resources was done most
strategically and with sustainability in mind. The evaluation finds that 79.6 percent of
the total budget was allocated towards actual implementation of which 18.2 percent
towards management and the remaining 2.3 percent on monitoring and evaluation.
c) The programme was also strategic in the choice of implementing partners. The
programme partnered with local organizations which the required experience in their
respective areas of work, expertize and geographical reach and this proved vital in
timely delivery of programme activities. The partners were able to implement activities
with speed, given the short period for the programme; however, this affected the
depth with which the interventions would have been delivered.
Conclusion 4: The WEP was UN Women Malawi’s flagship programme and other interventions
complemented it well with clear synergies and interlinkages. The programme was in line with
the UN Women global strategic plan and equally complemented other interventions
implemented within the UNDAF for Malawi. These synergies ensured that there were no
duplication of programmes or projects. (Related to findings 27 – 29 summarized below)
a) The programme demonstrated both internal and external coherence; with clear
synergies and interlinkages with UN Women programmes, other programmes
implemented by other UN agencies; development partners and other local and
international organizations. The programme’s three components were well thought
through and complimentary. Further, the WEP programme was compatible with UN
Women global strategic plan. The WEP inherited and directly contributed to
achievement Outcomes 2, 3 and 4 of the Global Strategic Plan. The programme
further contributed to achievement of SDGs.
Conclusion 5: Overall, the results of the programme are likely to contribute towards improving
the socio-economic status of women. The programme did not only work with duty bearers
but also rights holders. With duty bearers the programme ensured capacity is built to deliver
and monitor gender equality commitments. This is very key in the longer term when it comes
to ensuring women and girls enjoy their rights in full. The programme also supported women
and girls directly with knowledge and skills to improve their livelihoods. (Related to findings 30
– 31 summarized below)
a) Results achieved through the programme have the likely potential to contribute to the
programme’s impact goal which is ensuring that women and girls enjoy their full rights
and positively contribute to, and benefit from social, economic, and political
developments. This conclusion is based on two reasons: first, the programme worked
to enhance accountability mechanisms and this is crucial when it comes to
implementation of policy commitments by duty bearers; secondly, the programme
also directly supported rights holders through improving their knowledge and skills to
engage duty bearers and also improve their livelihoods. Regarding the second point,
the programme contributed significantly in enhancing women’s agency to cope with
challenges they face in their lives. Agency is the ability to identify goals or make
choices and then act upon them. Women exercise agency in many different ways:

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 as individuals and collectively within the family, and through their participation in
markets, politics, and other formal and informal networks. Further programming.
Conclusion 6: The results of the programme are likely to continue owing to the broader
approach undertaken when implementing activities. The programme worked through the
Ministry of Gender, as a lead institution in the national gender machinery and the Ministry of
Agriculture, among others, to ensure national ownership of the intervention. The programme
also worked with six local non-governmental organizations to directly implement activities.
This approach has the potential to sustain programme benefits overtime. (Related to findings
32 – 34 summarized below)
a) Findings on the sustainability show that the benefits and results of the programme have
the likelihood for continuation although the programme elapsed. The programme
achieved meaningful results regarding strengthening gender equality accountability
mechanisms and stakeholders have the view that enhanced institutionalization of the
same. Additionally, the evaluation concludes that results achieved under both the
women economic empowerment and elimination of violence against women and
girls programme are likely to continue – if new programmes are further implemented,
building on lessons learnt and best practices.
Conclusion 7: The programme took into account gender and human rights in both the design
and implementation. It worked with duty bearers to build their capacity to meet obligations
on gender and human rights. The programme also worked directly with rights holders,
especially those that are economically marginalized and have varying disabilities. This was
vital as progress towards gender equality require not only in laws and policies but also
changes within the family, culture, politics and the economy.(Related to findings 35 -37
summarized below)
a) The evaluation concludes that the programme attempted to take into account
gender, human rights considerations in the design and implementation; from both a
duty-bearer perspective and right’s holder perspective. The programme’s theory of
change assumed that building the capacity of duty bearers will improve
accountability mechanisms thereby facilitating a conducive policy and programme
environment that promote gender equality. The programme also assumed that
women and girls can fully enjoy their rights if they are supported to meet their needs.
The evaluation concludes that this approach was strategic and impactful; only if gains
recorded are sustained through further UN Women and other partner organizations
programming.
Recommendations
The following recommendations are based on the findings and conclusions of the evaluation.
All evaluation participants consulted were asked to suggest how UN Women and other
relevant partners would better implement future programmes in view of issues noted.
Stakeholder views were thus synthesized and aligned to the overall findings and conclusions
of the report. They are presented showing who is responsible for implementation and level of
priority.

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 Conclusion Recommendation Responsible Priority
Programme relevance (finding 1-12)
The programme was aligned to the Programming should continue UN Women Priority:
needs of beneficiaries across all the aligning both national and High
three thematic areas as well as key international normative instruments Time:
normative frameworks such as as part of enhancing country efforts Immediate
CEDAW, SDGs, MGDS III as well as the to fulfill commitments therein. Level of
national gender policy. This is a However, when designing such difficulty:
demonstration of commitment by UN similar programmes, there is need to Low
Women Malawi to ensure that include needs assessment exercises
programme directly tackles beyond secondary literature
challenges women face in the reviews to specifically isolate areas
country. It is also a demonstration of of intervention – to avoid spreading
commitment to ensure key gender interventions thinly.
commitments are implemented to
uplift the lives of women in Malawi.
While this is the case, more
stakeholder and beneficiary
consultations would have
strengthened the programme
interventions in meeting the needs of
women and girls.

Programme effectiveness (finding 13

– 22)
Overall, all the three thematic areas Further programme interventions UN Women, Priority:
achieved output and outcomes should build on the gains made Ministry of High
targets that were set despite the under the current programme; Gender Time:
challenging context in which the especially targeting strengthening Immediate
programme was implemented. In gender accountability mechanisms Level of
2019 and 2020, the environment in at both national and local levels. difficulty:
Malawi was characterized by post- Following up on government Medium
elections disputes as well as the onset commitments expressed in key
of the COVID-19 pandemic; and all normative frameworks should
these provided a difficult context to continue – and more public
deliver programme interventions. dissemination of how government is
Notwithstanding, achievements were doing on such commitments is
recorded due to a number of required.
reasons some of which include the Further, there is need for sustained
choice of implementing partners, efforts on the support provided to
previous and other interventions help women assume leadership
made as largely the programme built positions. For example, after
on and complimented similar elections, follow-up activities should
interventions implemented by UN follow to build on gains made. It
Women, Government of Malawi and becomes haphazard to only
other local and international support women aspirants when
organizations. For programmes like elections are very close.
the WEP, whose implementation
period was rather short, it is important
that they build on previous similar
interventions or complement existing
interventions in order to register
meaningful results.
Continue lobbying and advocating UN Women, Priority:
for inclusive financial capital Ministry of High
services; beyond the financial Gender, Time:
inclusion policy, further Immediate

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 programming should push for Ministry of Level of
implementation. Finance, difficulty:
Develop more partnerships with the UNDP. Medium
private sector when it comes to Other key
women economic empowerment partners
interventions. Women expressed
lack of profitable markets and such
partnerships would help.
There are several women groups or
cooperatives, UN Women should
design further programmes to build
their capacity and facilitate both
market and capital opportunities.
Future programming should Priority:
continue championing innovation High
in eliminating violence against Time:
women and girls. The programme’s Immediate
use of traditional leaders and Level of
structures and male champions are difficulty:
such innovations should need to High
continue, especially in the context
of Malawi where traditional leaders
are considered custodians of
traditional social and cultural norms.
Programme efficiency (finding 23 –
26)
Overall, the programme was Continue investing in capacity UN Women Priority:
efficient owing to a well thought- building for UN Women Staff, CSOs High
through programme management partners and Government Time:
structure as well as robust monitoring stakeholders in gender project Immediate
mechanism put in place. Each management, results-based Level of
thematic component was led by management and monitoring and difficulty:
specialists which coordinated directly reporting. Low
with implementing partners to
provide technical support; at the
same time the specialist led in
implementation of activities in liaison
with government. Monitoring
mechanism that were put in place
enabled a close follow-up of
activities and as such most
interventions were implemented on
time, with the exception of
interventions that were shifted due to
the COVID-19 pandemic. The
evaluation also concludes that the
programme used the resources well;
with a good chunk of the budget
allocated for activity
implementation.

Programme coherence (finding 27 –

29)
The WEP was UN Women Malawi’s Continue ensuring programming is UN Women Priority:
flagship programme and other aligned to UN Women global High
interventions complemented it well strategic plan, UNDAF; as well as Time:
with clear synergies and interlinkages. alignment with other UN agency Immediate

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 The programme was in line with the programmes to ensure sustained Level of
UN Women global strategic plan and gains and avoiding duplications. difficulty:
equally complemented other Low
interventions implemented within the
UNDAF for Malawi. These synergies
ensured that there were no
duplication of programmes or
projects.
Programme impact (finding 30 – 31)
Overall, the results of the programme For the benefits of the programme UN Women, Priority:
are likely to contribute towards to be sustained; future programmes Ministry of High
improving the socio-economic status should isolate best practices (taking Gender Time:
of women. The programme did not into account UN Women Malawi Immediate
only work with duty bearers but also comparative advantage) for Level of
rights holders. With duty bearers the continuation. Strengthening difficulty:
programme ensured capacity is built accountability mechanisms should Medium
to deliver and monitor gender continue. Pushing for inclusion
equality commitments. This is very key market and financial opportunities
in the longer term when it comes to for women groups should continue,
ensuring women and girls enjoy their and work through partners on the
rights in full. The programme also same. Programming on elimination
supported women and girls directly of violence should also continue,
with knowledge and skills to improve building on innovations made such
their livelihoods. as engagement of traditional
structures, male champions, and
working with children and young
people in schools.
Programme sustainability (finding 32
– 34)
The results of the programme are Working with and through national UN Women, Priority:
likely to continue owing to the structures should continue for Ministry of High
broader approach undertaken when sustainability of results. Gender Time:
implementing activities. The Lobbying for more resources to Immediate
programme worked through the continue programmes such as the Level of
Ministry of Gender, as a lead WEP should also continue. The difficulty:
institution in the national gender programme has proved, given Medium
machinery and the Ministry of sustained efforts, to contribute the
Agriculture, among others, to ensure promotion of gender equality.
national ownership of the Proper exist strategies should be put
intervention. The programme also in place for such programmes. Well
worked with six local non- thought-through exit strategies
governmental organizations to should take into account how
directly implement activities. This benefits realized could be
approach has the potential to sustain continued.
programme benefits overtime. There is also need for putting aside
resources for national as well as
district level dissemination of results,
lessons learnt as part of scaling up
efforts on gender equality in the
country.
Programmes of this nature need to
be longer than this was –
beneficiaries and stakeholders in
the districts felt the programme
appeared abrupt.
Gender, human rights considerations
(finding 35 -37)

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 The programme took into account Programming of this nature should UN Women Priority:
gender and human rights in both the establish and build-in robust High
design and implementation. It mechanisms for beneficiary Time:
worked with duty bearers to build participation. There has to be room Immediate
their capacity to meet obligations on where beneficiaries provide input Level of
gender and human rights. The into programming through well- difficulty:
programme also worked directly with spaced feedback-loops in addition Low
rights holders, especially those that to the mid-term and end-term
are economically marginalized and evaluations.
have varying disabilities. This was vital
as progress towards gender equality
require not only in laws and policies
but also changes within the family,
culture, politics and the economy.

Source: Evaluation data

Key lessons learnt

This section presents lessons learned, good practices and innovations identified in the course
of this evaluation. These were identified through discussions with UN Women, key
implementing partners, beneficiaries as well as other stakeholders that participated in the
evaluation. It is expected that such lessons would be helpful to UN Women when designing
and implementing similar programmes in future.
a) The selection of implementing partners under each of the thematic areas was more
strategic and effective. The partners that were selected to support programme
implementation have good experience and expertise in their respective areas of
work. This contributed substantially to the achievement of the results given the short
programme implementation period.
b) Strong partner involvement at design phase of the programme would have provided
a platform for improved engagement between UN Women and implementing
partners; thereby increasing more ownership of the programme.
c) In the spirit of decentralization and bringing ‘development’ closer to rights holders,
working more with local/district councils would have made the programme
comprehensive. Stakeholders at local council level (especially the Gender Office;
Social Welfare Office) observed that they needed a lot of technical backstopping
(through continuous mentorship and orientation) during the programme to ensure
that the results are entrenched; and that they easily fulfill their mandate as immediate
duty bearer institutions for women and girls.
d) A clear programme exit strategy would have helped sustain the benefits and results
of the programme. The strategy would have provided for immediate and future
programme synergies with other organizations implementing gender equality
initiatives. Most stakeholders felt the programme was largely ‘one-off’ and could not
link it with any further interventions supporting the national gender machinery.
e) The COVID-19 has shown the importance of digital literacy adapting and
mainstreaming virtual forms of programme delivery during the emergency setting (e.g.
EVAW IP shared google drive, EVAW IP WhatsApp Group) is key for sustained
implementation of programs.

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 Annexes

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Annex 1: Terms of Reference

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR END OF PROGRAMME EVALUATION

Position: End of Programme Evaluation for the Women Empowerment
Programme
Contract type: Individual Consultant – Special Service Agreement
Office / Section: Lilongwe, Malawi Office
Location: Home based
Timeline: 40 days
Reports to: Head of Programmes

1.0 Introduction
In December 2017, UN Women Malawi office received a grant from the Royal Norwegian
Embassy to implement a three-year Women Empowerment Programme (WEP). The Women
Empowerment Programme aims at ensuring that Women and girls enjoy their full rights and
positively contribute to, and benefit from, social economic and political development in
Malawi by the year 2021.
The project is coming to an end and UN Women Malawi Office, with support from the UN
Women Regional Office, intends to conduct an end of project evaluation for purposes of
establishing achievement of intended outcomes, learning, accountability, and decision-
making. The findings and lessons drawn from the evaluation will be used to inform the design
of the next phase of the project and future programming. The implementation of the
evaluation will be guided by the following key UN Women documents: Evaluation Policy; UNW
GERAAS evaluation quality checklist UNW Evaluation Handbook; UN SWAP EPI 3; United
Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) Norms and Standards for Evaluation in the UN System and
UNEG Ethical Guidelines.
2.0 Description of the Programme
The Women Empowerment Programme consists of three thematic components namely,
Gender and governance: Women and Youth empowerment through enterprise
development and Elimination of Violence against women and girls.
2.1 Gender Governance

Thematic area 1 on Gender and Governance is aligned to the United Nations Development
Assistance Framework pillar 1, namely, Peace, inclusion, and effective institutions, and to UN
Women Flagship Programme Initiatives on supporting women to lead in decision making and
on ensuring that national and local plans and budgets are gender responsive. The thematic
area has four outcomes as follows.

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 a) Outcome 1.1: Enhanced implementation of national, regional, and international
normative and policy frameworks.
b) Outcome 1.2: Women participate, lead, and engage in decision making processes in
public institutions.
c) Outcome1.3: Formulation of National and local plans and budgets is gender
responsive and is informed by gender statistics.
d) Outcome 1.4: Gender statistics are accessible to all users to inform policy, advocacy,
and programming.
2.2 Women and Youth empowerment through enterprise development.
Thematic area 2 on Women and Youth empowerment through enterprise development, aims
at improving incomes of 300 micro and small entrepreneurs. The thematic area is aligned to
the UN Women Flagship Programme 2 on Women’s Economic Empowerment, and it has the
following two outcomes:
a) Outcome 2.1: Women’s capacities to access financing to invest in Climate Smart
Agriculture, and enterprise development are increased.
b) Outcome 2.2: Rural women and youths have increased access to secure and
productive resources, including markets and value-added activities.
2.3 Elimination of Violence against women and girls
Thematic area 3, on Elimination of Violence Against Women is aligned to SDG 5 of the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development and agenda 2063 and the UN Women Flagship
Programme Initiative 3 on Prevention and Access to Essential Services to End Violence against
Women. The thematic area has one outcome, namely.
a) Outcome 3.1: Social norms, attitudes and behaviors are promoted at community and
individual levels to prevent VAW and other harmful cultural practices.
The WEP also has a component on national level advocacy and implementation on this is led
by the UN Malawi Country Office. A total of six districts namely Mangochi, Salima, Dedza,
Karonga, Mzimba and Mulanje, were targeted for grassroot level interventions. Seven Civil
Society Organizations in the name of Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP),
Malawi Council for the Handicapped (MACOHA), Malawi Girl Guide Association (MAGGA),
MHUB, Malawi Network of Aids Service Orgnizations (MANASO) and Women Lawyers of
Southern Africa (WLSA) are coordinating and facilitating implementation of interventions at
district level. Key government partners are Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social
Welfare; Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and

Water Development; Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and the Ministry of
Local Government and Rural Development.
3.0 Purpose of the Evaluation
The overall objective of the evaluation is to assess outcome results and lessons learned from
the implementation of the programme. The evaluation will contribute to accountability,
learning and decision-making and inform design of the new phase of the programme. This is
a programme specific evaluation to be conducted at the end of the intervention’s life cycle.

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Main key users of the evaluation are UN Women, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, UN Agencies,
UN Women Partners, and other donors.
In line with UN Women Evaluation Policy, the final evaluation report together with the UN
Women management response will be disclosed publicly on the UNW ‘Global Accountability
and Tracking of Evaluation Use (GATE) System’ at http://gate.unwomen.org
4.0 Objectives of the Evaluation
The main objective of the evaluation is to assess outcomes and draw lessons. The evaluation
will provide answers to the following key evaluation questions: Was the project relevant to the
needs of the target population? To what extent has UN Women contributed to achieving the
expected changes? How can UN Women improve the efficiency of implementing the project
in future? What was UN Women’s added value to this area of work? How have human rights
approach and gender equality principles integrated in implementation? What lessons have
been learnt, good practices and innovations that can be used to support gender equality
and human rights in future projects?
The project interventions will be assessed based on criteria of relevance, effectiveness,
efficiency, impact, Coherence, and sustainability6 as below:
Relevance
b) To what extent is the intervention relevant to the needs and priorities as defined by
beneficiaries?
c) To what extent is the intervention aligned with relevant normative frameworks for
gender equality and women’s empowerment?
d) To what extent is the interventions relevant to national strategies/plans?
e) What are UN Women’s comparative advantage in this area of work compared with
other UN entities and key partners?

Effectiveness
a. To what extent are the expected outputs and outcomes achieved and how
did UN Women contribute towards these? To what extent can changes be
attributed to the program?
b. What unexpected results (positive and negative) have been achieved? For whom?
c. What has been the ratio of costs to benefits?
d. What has UN Women’s contribution been to the progress of the achievement
of outcomes? What was the influence of other factors?
e. Has the intervention been cost-effective (compared to alternatives)?
f. What are the main enabling and hindering factors to achieving planned
outcomes?
Efficiency
a. To what extent does the management structure of the intervention support
efficiency for programme implementation?
b. How well have resources and risks been managed to ensure results?

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 c. To what extent is the relationship between inputs and outputs timely, cost-
effective and to expected standards?
d. Can the offices demonstrate that they comply with good financial
management practice?
e. What is UN Women’s comparative advantage compared with other UN entities
and key partners?
Impact
a. To what extent did the programme achieve the intended outcomes in the short
and medium term?
b. To what extent is gender equality and women’s empowerment advanced
because of the intervention?
c. What are the unintended effects, if any, of the intervention?

Sustainability
a. To what extent is capacity developed to ensure sustainability of efforts and
benefits?
b. How will the benefits of the intervention be secured for rights holders (i.e. what
accountability and oversight systems were established)?
c. Is there evidence that the initiative is likely to grow – scaling up and out –
beyond the project life?

Coherence
a) To what extent did other interventions (particularly policies) support or
undermine the project intervention, and vice versa.
b) What were synergies and interlinkages between the intervention and other
interventions carried out by the UN Women/government, as well as the
consistency of the intervention with the relevant international norms and
standards to which UN Women/government adheres?
c) How consistent were the project intervention with other actors’ interventions in
the same context?
Gender Equality and Human Rights
a. To what extent has gender and human rights considerations been integrated
into the programme design and implementation?
b. To what extent have the projects been implemented according to human
rights and development effectiveness principles: Participation/empowerment;
Inclusion/non-discrimination; National accountability/transparency.
c. To what extent have the projects changed the dynamics of power in
relationships between different groups?

The evaluation will also apply Human Rights and Gender Equality as an additional criterion.
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5.0 Scope of the Evaluation
The final evaluation of the Project is to be conducted externally by an individual consultant
selected through a competitive process. It is planned to be conducted in the period of 6
months within the period 21st July 2021 to 31st December 2021. The evaluation will cover the
project implementation period from December 2017 to December 2021. The evaluation will
be conducted in Malawi, where the programme is being implemented and the target
project districts to collect data as defined by the agreed evaluation work-plan. In the context
of the COVID-19 pandemic, the respective country guidance on travel restrictions should be
taken into consideration. The evaluation will examine all the relevant documents of the
Programme, including results framework/logical framework of the project, its Monitoring and
Evaluation Plan, annual work plan, semi-annual and annual reports to the donor, knowledge
products produced in the frameworks of the project.
6.0 Evaluation Design
The approach will be formative (forward looking). Being a Gender-responsive evaluation, it
should apply mixed-methods (quantitative and qualitative data collection methods and
analytical approaches) to account for complexity of gender relations and to ensure
participatory and inclusive processes that are culturally appropriate. The key principles for
gender-responsive evaluation at UN Women are: 1) National ownership and leadership; 2)
UN system coordination and coherence regarding gender equality and the empowerment
of women; 3) Innovation; 4) Fair power relations and empowerment; 5) Participation and
inclusion; 6) Independence and impartiality; 7) Transparency; 8) Quality and credibility; 9)
Intentionality and use of evaluation; and 10) Ethics.
The following key phases will be implemented.
a. Preparation: Establishment of the reference group, and recruitment of the
consultant
b. Conduct: Inception report, stakeholder workshop, data collection and analysis
c. Reporting: Presentation of preliminary findings, draft, and final reports
d. Use and follow up: Management response, dissemination of the report, and
follow up to the implementation of the management response.
Methodology
The approach will be gender-responsive and highly participatory to ensure all stakeholders
are consulted as part of the evaluation process. The methods should include a wide range
of data sources, participatory tools for consultation with stakeholders and a plan for inclusion
of women and individuals and groups who are vulnerable and/or discriminated against in
the consultation process. Due to possible travel restrictions, it is expected that the methods
include creative options for virtual/online participation and data collection. The evaluation
team will develop an evaluation matrix explaining the rationale and approach for data
collection.
The evaluation team will be expected to do the following:
a. Use a wide range of data sources (for example documents, institutional
information systems, financial records, field information, conduct interviews
and focus group discussions with beneficiaries, staff, NGOs, experts,
government officials and community groups)

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 b. Data collection methods and analysis: conduct interviews virtually, focus group
discussions and if possible, surveys as data collection method and identify most
significant change case study that will address gender equality and human
rights issues; the evaluator will elaborate on the final rationale for selection and
their limitations.
c. Suggest a plan for inclusion of girls, women and individuals and groups who are
vulnerable and/or discriminated against in the consultation process and a plan
for translation, as necessary.
d. Detail a plan on how protection of subjects and respect for confidentiality will
be guaranteed.
e. Specify a sampling frame (area and population represented, rationale for
selection, mechanics of selection, limitations of the sample) and specify how it
will address the diversity of stakeholders in the intervention.
f. Specify measures to ensure data quality, reliability and validity of data
collection tools and methods and their responsiveness to gender equality and
human rights.
g. The preliminary evaluation findings should be validated through a debriefing
workshop with Evaluation Management and Evaluation Reference groups at
the end of the primary data collection stage.
7.0 Time Frame

Task Time Frame Person Responsible

Final ToR (After Done Evaluation Manager
consultations
with reference group and
management group)
Recruitment of evaluator(s) Done Evaluation Manager and
Regional Evaluation
Specialist
Inception phase 1 Week after signing of Consultant
contract (3rd September
2021)
Delivery of draft and revised 10th September 2021. Consultant
evaluation inception report
Conduct stage (data 2-3 weeks after submission Consultant
collection of inception report (13th
September to 6th October
2021)
Reporting stage (analysis 2-3 weeks after final data Consultant
and presentation of collection (16th October
preliminary findings) 2021)
Submission of first Draft 23rd October 2021 Consultant
Evaluation Report
Submission of Final Report 27th October 2021 Consultant
Use and follow-up 6 weeks after submission of Evaluation Manager and
the final report Regional Evaluation
Specialist

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Annex 2: List of evaluation participants

DISTRICT LEVEL
NAME Gender ORGANISATION POSITION

GBG George Chiusiwa M CCJP National Programmes

Coordinator
Bruno Banda M CCJP Diocesan Secretary
Nicholas Glaciano M CCJP Project Officer
Fred Simwaka M Ministry of Gender Chief Gender and
Development Officer
Tumbikani Munthali M DHRMD Chief Human Resource
Management Officer
Clara Lungu F WILSA Programmes Coordinator
Matthews Gamadzi M Ministry of Justice Principal State Advocate
Chikosa Banda M Parliament (Women Clerk to the Parliamentary
Caucus) Women Caucus
Anderson Chikomola M Ministry of Agriculture DAES
Madalitso Chamba Reserve Bank of
Malawi
Mirabel Munthali F Ministry of Agriculture District Agri-business
Officer
Precious Mwase M Ministry of Agriculture AEDO
Mavuto C. Choghe M Ministry of Gender Child Protection Officer
Jabess Nyirenda M CSO Network Chairperson
Matchona Ngwira M CSO Executive Director

Meris B. Ndozile F Lupembe ADC Chairperson

Ntchachi Gondwe M Lupembe ADC Vice Chairperson
Donafegi Mwahimba M Lupembe ADC Member
Charity Ngomba F Lupembe ADC Member
Francis Mwalwanda M Lupembe ADC Member
Mickness Winga M Lupembe ADC Member
Funny Njawa F Lupembe ADC Member
Cotheus Bombwe M Lupembe ADC Member
Cordius Simwaka M Lupembe ADC Member

M Nkope & Mbwadzulu Member

Davie Chilombo ADC
F Nkope & Mbwadzulu Member
Trezah Kondwowe ADC

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 F Nkope & Mbwadzulu Member
Faniza Kaulembe ADC
F Nkope & Mbwadzulu Member
Eliza Msuku ADC
M Nkope & Mbwadzulu Member
Raphael Banda ADC
M Nkope & Mbwadzulu Member
MacDonard Phocas ADC
M Nkope & Mbwadzulu Member
Steve Mvula ADC
F Nkope & Mbwadzulu Member
Ednah Frank ADC

F Salima Central Contested as MP

Chrissy Chikakha Constituency
Hon. Francesca F Mangochi East MP
Masamba Constituency
F Mangochi Central MP
Hon. Victoria Kingston Constituency
Edna Yusufu F Mangochi District Municipal Mayor
Council
F Mangochi District Councillor
Rashidah Kapichira Council
Fatima Chilawe F Mangochi District Councillor
Council
Ivy Sande F Mangochi District Councillor
Council
Hawa Wassie Daud F Mangochi District Councillor
Council

WEE Esther Sichale F Nkhongono ku Banthu Secretary

Tiwonge Nyirenda F Nkhongono ku Banthu Treasurer
Lilian Mwangonde F Nkhongono ku Banthu Member
Annia Mwasawi F Nkhongono ku Banthu Member
Jeolou Gondwe F Nkhongono ku Banthu Member

Maduwe F Twambilile Abattoir Vice Chairperson

Kalowekamo
Lunia Ngomba F Twambilile Abattoir Member
Edwin Mbisa M Twambilile Abattoir Member
Ellen Chibaka F Twambilile Abattoir Member
Martha Mwanyongo F Twambilile Abattoir Member
Francis Mwalwanda M Twambilile Abattoir Member
Lincy Nyanyugwi F Twambilile Abattoir Member

Justin Mkira M Lufilya Cooperative President WUA

Jonaphan M Lufilya Cooperative Chairperson
Mwaluambo

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 Christobel F Lufilya Cooperative Member
Mkandawire
Alice Ngwira F Lufilya Cooperative Member
Cleaness Nasimwayi F Lufilya Cooperative Member
Agness Msukwa F Lufilya Cooperative Member
Ice Mbughi F Lufilya Cooperative Member
Jonathan Mwalambo M Lufilya Cooperative Member
Jus Mlaghua M Lufilya Cooperative Member
Charles Kaguni M Lufilya Cooperative Member

Pejani Gondwe M Gumi Fisheries Chairperson

Charity Mvula F Gumi Fisheries Vice Chairperson
Lennox Nyirenda M Gumi Fisheries Member
Christopher M Gumi Fisheries Member (VH)
Walamba
Heliet Mwenendeka F Gumi Fisheries Member
Tamala Kamanga F Gumi Fisheries Member

M Mwenelondo General Chairperson

Winston O. Kaipa Farmer’s Cooperative
M Mwenelondo General Member
Sandress Kumwenda Farmer’s Cooperative
M Mwenelondo General Member
Podge Wellusie Farmer’s Cooperative
F Mwenelondo General Member
Eness Mwalilino Farmer’s Cooperative
F Mwenelondo General Member
Rhodah Luhanga Farmer’s Cooperative
F Mwenelondo General Member
Matilda Chisiza Farmer’s Cooperative
F Mwenelondo General Member
Caroline Ndovie Farmer’s Cooperative
F Mwenelondo General Member
Agness Phiri Farmer’s Cooperative
F Mwenelondo General Member
Maybe Mwafilaso Farmer’s Cooperative
F Mwenelondo General Member
Fanny Munthali Farmer’s Cooperative
M Mwenelondo General Member
Duncan Monje Farmer’s Cooperative
M Mwenelondo General Member
Clement Monje Farmer’s Cooperative
M Mwenelondo General Member
Kumbukani Chirwa Farmer’s Cooperative
M Mwenelondo General Member
Gerard Nkhonjera Farmer’s Cooperative
F Mwenelondo General Member
Judith Mwakabanga Farmer’s Cooperative
M Mwenelondo General Member
Joshua K. Ngosi Farmer’s Cooperative

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 Robert Manjala M MACOHA Manager
Alexina Katha M MACOHA Financial Officer
Fumpha Chipeta F MACOHA Assistant Rehab officer
Samson Dickson M MACOHA Community Rehab Worker
M MACOHA District Rehabilitation
Charles Chipembere Officer
Rosemary Chilunga F MACOHA Small-scale Tailor
Joana Felikisi F MACOHA Small-scale Tailor
Diana Gwedeza F MACOHA Small-scale Tailor
Madalo Kamenya F MACOHA Small-scale Tailor
Flora Chimwala F MACOHA Small-scale Tailor
Rabecca Chunga F MACOHA Small-scale Tailor
Gladys Chimkanda F MACOHA Small-scale Tailor
Saidi Banda M MACOHA Small-scale Tailor
Iness Chibowa F MACOHA Small-scale Tailor
Hawah Bwanali F MACOHA Small-scale Tailor
Mercy Alufeyo F MACOHA Small-scale Tailor
Annie James F MACOHA Small-scale Tailor
Trisha Njobvuyalema F MACOHA Small-scale Tailor
Omex Boniface M MACOHA Small-scale Tailor
Eliza Pindani F MACOHA Small-scale Tailor
Ester Laiton F MACOHA Small-scale Tailor
Vester Robert F MACOHA Small-scale Tailor
Maria Zenus F MACOHA Small-scale Tailor
Sakina White F MACOHA Small-scale Tailor

EVAW Jean Bulirani M NICE Assistant District Civic

Education Officer
F Foundation for Women Executive Director
and Girls
Cristobel Munthali Empowerment
John Mbughi M Ministry of Education ACCO
Jolly Chipofya M Lusako F.P School Headmaster
Moses Mtima M Lusako F.P School Patrons
Matrida Mbira F Lusako F.P School Mother Group Member
Melayi Kapyata F Lusako F.P School Learner
Patricia Bowa F Lusako F.P School Learner
Rose Mwangalaba F Lusako F.P School Learner
Memory Silumbu F Lusako F.P School Learner
Glory Kanuwa F Lusako F.P School Learner
Mary Jere F Lusako F.P School Learner
Emily Mwamsamali F Lusako F.P School Learner
Rhodah Mkandawire F Lusako F.P School Learner
Beatrice Chiwaka F Lusako F.P School Learner
Alfred Mwafulilwa M Lusako F.P School Learner
Bright Mwambira M Lusako F.P School Learner
Vitumbiko Zonya M Lusako F.P School Learner

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 Gibson Simtowe M Lusako F.P School Learner
Eliyas Chihana M Lusako F.P School Learner
Joseph Chipofya M Lusako F.P School Learner
Kondwani Kaluba M Lusako F.P School Learner
Rashid Gondwe M Lusako F.P School Learner
Julias Kalasho M Lusako F.P School Learner
Steven Mwamsako M Lusako F.P School Learner

Laston Sichali M Ministry of Education; ACCO

Kiwe Educational Zone
Christina Kaluwa F Kiwe F.P School Headmaster
Samuel Ghambi M Kiwe F.P School Patron
Constance F Kiwe F.P School Mother group Chairlady
Kumwenda
Fiskani Nyirenda F Kiwe F.P School Mother group Member
Maria Mhango F Kiwe F.P School Mother group Member
Hilda Kayira F Kiwe F.P School Mother group Member
Steve Mwenefumbo M Kiwe F.P School Learner
Asimenye M Kiwe F.P School Learner
Mwampaghatwa

M Ministry of Education; ACCO

Matias Chikoko Kantchito F.P School
Gerard Conerio M Kantchito F.P School Patron
Princess Mkutu F Kantchito F.P School Matron
Salome Malikita F Kantchito F.P School Matron
Isaac Richard M Kantchito F.P School Learner
Wesley Sosten M Kantchito F.P School Learner
Junior Exaviel M Kantchito F.P School Learner
Davie Magombo M Kantchito F.P School Learner
Alfred Chikoja M Kantchito F.P School Learner
Albert Andrea M Kantchito F.P School Learner
Ameni Mzambwe M Kantchito F.P School Learner
Emmanuel M Kantchito F.P School Learner
Chibwenzo
Loveness Gelevazio F Kantchito F.P School Learner
Shyreen Maganga F Kantchito F.P School Learner
Letisha Elias F Kantchito F.P School Learner
Rebecca Wayisoni F Kantchito F.P School Learner
Ruth Enock F Kantchito F.P School Learner
Lucia Raymond F Kantchito F.P School Learner
Eliza Richard F Kantchito F.P School Learner
Flora Banda F Kantchito F.P School Learner

Mafunga Jamu M District Council Gender District Officer

Elias Donasio M Mthiramanja Child Protection Worker
TA Chikumbu F District Council Senior TA
Lyson Guluwe M Malire CBO Village Headman
Ida Anyezi F Malire CBO Group Village Head

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 Thomas Chinthenga M Malire CBO Chairperson
Richard Chikopa M Malire CBO Member
Lucius Muzungu M Malire CBO Member
Henry Chimimba M Malire CBO Member
Louis Juma M Malire CBO Member
John B. Likagwa M Malire CBO Member
Albert Amini M Malire CBO Member
Edson Mukhong’o M Malire CBO Member
Jackson Massa M Malire CBO Member
Julita Lawrence F Malire CBO Member
Bertha London F Malire CBO Member
Beatrice Lipenga F Malire CBO Member
Mary Mpoka F Malire CBO Member
Alexander Gonani M Malire CBO Member
Edward Chikweya M Malire CBO Member
Lameys Maginimu M Malire CBO Member

Peter Chimasula M Madalo CBO GVH

Paul Magulula M Madalo CBO Chairperson
Dalitso Kwere M Madalo CBO Member
Maiden Kamwendo M Madalo CBO Member
Alex Mawindo M Madalo CBO Member
Aubrey Bamusi M Madalo CBO Member
Jimmy Mitengo M Madalo CBO Member
Eric Kapichi M Madalo CBO Member
George Kumbali M Madalo CBO Member
Patrick Gawanya M Madalo CBO Member
Grace Chikowe F Madalo CBO Member
Rose Jamali F Madalo CBO Member
Rex Byson M Madalo CBO Member

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Annex 3: List of documents and websites consulted

Documents consulted

a) UN Women Malawi WEP documents

i. Main programme proposal document
ii. Mid-term evaluation report
iii. Monitoring reports (UN Women and Implementing partners)
iv. Final programme report
b) Terms of reference for the evaluation
c) UN Women, 2012, Evaluation policy of the United Nations Entity for Gender
Equality and the Empowerment of Women
d) UN Women, 2015, How to manage gender-responsive evaluation:
evaluation handbook
e) UN Women, 2015, Global Evaluation Report Assessment and Analysis System
(GERAAS)
f) UNEG, 2005, Norms for Evaluation in the UN System
g) Government of Malawi policy support documents
i. Constitution of the Republic of Malawi.
ii. Gender Equality Act, 2013
iii. Malawi Growth and Development Strategy III, 2017-2022.
iv. National Gender Policy, 2015
h) National Statistical Office (2017); Integrated Household Survey, 2016-2017.
Zomba. Malawi.
i) National Statistical Office (2018); Malawi Population and Housing Census.
Zomba. Malawi.
j) UN Women (2015); The Cost of the Gender Gap in Agricultural Productivity
in Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda.
k) UNDP, (2016); Community Based Resilience Analysis (CoBRA) assessment
report for Machinga and Mangochi Districts in Malawi

Websites consulted
a) https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2017/8/un-women-strategic-
plan-2018-2021
b) https://www.africanews.com/2019/06/20/malawi-protests-turn-violent-after-disputed-
election//
c) https://www.mw.undp.org/content/malawi/en/home/library/study-on-socio-economic-
impact-of-covid-19-pandemic-in-malawi-.html
d) https://malawi.un.org/en/122897-un-urges-sustained-fight-gender-equality-malawi
e) https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/economic-empowerment/facts-and-figures
f) https://www.fao.org/3/ad817e/ad817e00.htm#Contents
g) https://malawi.un.org/index.php/en/139923-spotlight-initiative-report-malawi-2020

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Page | 87
 Annex 4: WEP theory of change and result framework
.
Indicator A: Percentage of women in Indicator B: Number of rural women Indicator C: Percentage of people
local government, national assembly farmers and youth supported to gain who think it is justifiable for a man to
and key leadership positions in public access, use and control productive beat his wife (SP indicator)
service resources.

THEMATIC GOAL 1: To strengthen

THEMATIC GOAL 3: To improve the THEMATIC GOAL 3: To ensure that
coordination and reporting frameworks of
the global, regional and national norms family incomes of 300 micro and small all women and girls live a life free
polices and standards on gender equality entrepreneurs. from violence
and empowerment of all women and girls
Outcome 1.1: Enhanced implementation of
national, regional and international normative and Outcome 2.1: Women’s capacities to access Outcome 3.1: Social norms, attitudes and
policy frameworks financing to invest in Climate Smart Agriculture, practices hindering women and girl’s rights are
and enterprise development is increased transformed at individual and community levels.
Indicator: Number of national regional and
international treaty recommendations on GEWE Indicator: Number of selected culturally and Indicator: Proportion of ever partnered women
implemented. economically viable enterprises/value chains and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to
Outcome 1.2: Women participate, lead and promoted. physical, sexual or psychological violence by a
engage in decision making processes in public current or former intimate partner in the previous
institutions. Indicator: Number of women and youth’s 12 months, by form of violence and by age (SDG
entrepreneurs promoted indicator 5.2.1
Indicator: Percentage share of women in public
service.
Outcome 2.2: Rural women and youths have
Outcome 1.3: Formulation of National and local
increased access to secure and productive
plans and budgets is gender responsive
resources, including markets and value-added
Indicator: Number of sectors adopting GRB with activities
support from UN Women
Indicator: Percentage of women participating in
value chains.
Outcome 1.4: Gender statistics are accessible to
all users to inform policy, advocacy and Indicator: Percentage of women with access to
programming. viable markets

Indicator: Percentage increase in the incomes of

households participating in the programme

Output 1.1.1: Enhanced capacity of Output 2.1.1: Gender gaps are identified Output 3.1.1: Women, girls, men and
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Gender machinery to monitor and report boys at community and individual levels
on progress in the implementation of private financial institutions policy and are mobilized in favor of respective
national, regional and international regulatory frameworks to promote relationships and gender equality.
Gender Equality normative and policy women and youth’s access to credit
frameworks.  Number of men and boys
Annex 5: Evaluation matrix

Criteria Main questions Data sources Data collection Methods Indicators / Standards Methods for Data
Analysis

Relevance To what extent is the UN Women Desk review of legal and Extent to which programme was Secondary data
intervention relevant to the staff/Program policy and planning relevant to needs and priorities of analysis (legal
needs and priorities as defined me documents; project beneficiaries; extent to which and policy
by beneficiaries? Managemen documents/ products programme was aligned to normative planning
To what extent is the t; Royal (needs assessment, frameworks; extent to which documents);
intervention aligned with Norwegian baseline study); programme was aligned to national Qualitative
relevant normative frameworks Embassy Interviews with project policy priorities methods
for gender equality and Staff; management/stakehold (comparison of
women’s empowerment? Government ers/partners/representati interview data to
To what extent is the stakeholders; ves of beneficiaries factual
interventions relevant to District information)
national strategies/plans? Council staff;
Implementing
partners;
Local partner
structures

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 Impact To what extent did the UN Women Desk Review; interviews Contribution towards programme Qualitative (self-
programme contribute towards staff/Program with project longer term goals; contribution perceptions);
the intended programme longer me management; interviews towards gender equality and women secondary
term (impact goal)? Managemen with project partners and empowerment; contribution towards analysis
To what extent did the t; Royal stakeholders; interviews gender equality and human rights
programme contribute towards Norwegian with beneficiary accountability.
gender equality and women Embassy representatives
empowerment? Staff;
To what extent di the Government
programme contribute towards stakeholders;
strengthening accountability District
mechanisms on gender equality Council staff;
and human rights? Implementing
partners;
Local partner
structures
Effectivene To what extent has the UN Women Desk review of project Extent to which programme achieved Quantitative
ss programme achieved its staff/Program progress & annual planned outputs; extent to which (analysis of
planned outputs? me reports/project statistics; programme contributed to outcomes; indicators) ;
To what extent has the Managemen Results framework; differential achievement on outputs Qualitative
programme contributed to the t; Royal Individual and group and outcomes (perceptions of
achievement of the intended Norwegian Interviews; Focus groups beneficiaries and
outcomes? Embassy discussions; Other stakeholders,
Which of the outputs achieved Staff; evidence (publications, identification of
are likely to contribute to the Government video, success stories) reoccurring
ultimate programme results? stakeholders; Observation of events; themes
Are there differences in the District case study
achievement of outputs and Council staff; documentation
results across beneficiaries? Implementing
partners;
Local partner
structures;
programme
beneficiaries
(men,
women, girls,
boys)

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 Efficiency To what extent did the Project Desk review of activity Actual compared to planned Quantitative
programme spend within given managemen plans budget records, expenditure by thematic area; actual (cost-
budget limits per given thematic t staff; interim/ status/ annual compared to planned timeline of effectiveness and
areas? implementing reports, partners’ reports; delivery of outputs; programme efficiency);
To what extent did programme partners Interviews with project management costs compared to qualitative
implement interventions within (grant and management/ programme intervention costs; (perceptions of
planned timelines? non-grant partners/stakeholders; programme expenditure on interviewees)
What was percentage of the recipients); Interviews with monitoring and accountability
total programme cost was spent project beneficiaries mechanisms.
on activities/interventions versus financial
what was spent on records;
management? project and
What percentage of the total partners
programme cost was spent on databases
monitoring and accountability
to stakeholders and
beneficiaries?

Coherence To what extent did other UN UN Women Desk Review; interviews Programme synergies with other Qualitative (self-
Women interventions support or staff/Program with project interventions (a) by UN Women perceptions);
undermine the programme and me management; interviews Malawi; (b) other actors secondary
vice versa? Managemen with project partners and analysis
To what extent was the t; Royal stakeholders
programme consistent with Norwegian
interventions implemented by Embassy
other actors? What were the Staff;
synergies and interlinkages? Government
stakeholders;
District
Council staff;
Implementing

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 partners;
Local partner
structures
Sustainabilit To what extent is capacity UN Women Desk review of project Qualitative - self
y developed to ensure staff/Program progress & annual Strengthened capacity to ensure analysis
sustainability of efforts and me reports/project statistics; continuation of efforts and benefits; (perceptions of
benefits? Managemen Results framework; accountability systems; scaling up beneficiaries and
How will the benefits of the t; Royal Individual and group potential stakeholders,
intervention be secured for Norwegian Interviews; Focus groups identification of
rights holders (i.e. what Embassy discussions; Other reoccurring
accountability and oversight Staff; evidence (publications, themes)
systems were established)? Government video, success stories)
Is there evidence that the stakeholders; Observation of events;
initiative is likely to grow – District case study
scaling up and out – beyond Council staff; documentation
the project life? Implementing
partners;
Local partner
structures;
programme
beneficiaries
(men,
women, girls,
boys)
Gender To what extent did the UN Women Desk review of project Extent to which gender equality and Qualitative - self
equality programme integrate gender staff/Program progress & annual human rights were integrated in analysis
and human equality and human rights in the me reports/project statistics; design and implementation; (perceptions of
rights design and implementation? Managemen Results framework; Extent to which the programme beneficiaries and
To what extent did the t; Royal Individual and group included most vulnerable groups stakeholders,
programme include the most Norwegian Interviews; Focus groups (including those with disabilities) to identification of
vulnerable groups (including Embassy discussions; Other inform design and implementation; reoccurring
those with disabilities) in design Staff; evidence (publications, Extent which the programme themes)
and implementation? Government video, success stories) contributed to challenging existing
To what extent did the stakeholders; Observation of events; power dynamics to promote gender
programme contribute to District equality and human rights;

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 challenging existing power Council staff; case study
dynamics to promote gender Implementing documentation
equality and human rights? partners;
Local partner
structures;
programme
beneficiaries
(men,
women, girls,
boys)

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Annex 8: Selected case stories

Women hail UN Women’s WEP intervention

As women especially in the rural
community continue to search for
financial freedom, some women in
Dedza have applauded the UN
Women funded Women
Empowerment Programme (WEP) to
have provided the solution.
One of the women, Rosemary Chilunga
of Kuthindi Village Traditional Authority
Kamenyagwaza explained that project
has significantly helped her
overcoming some of her challenges in
meeting her basic needs.
She said since she graduated from the
tailoring training by the implementing
partner Malawi Council for the
Handicapped (MACOHA), her livelihood has completely transformed.
“After the training, we were offered the sewing machines to help us generate income to
adequately support ourselves. I am happy to say that this is being achieved because I am
now able to meet my family’s daily needs like food and some groceries,” explained Chilunga
who is in her early 40s.

The woman who is living with a disability disclosed that she has several clients such that she
dreams of establishing a tailoring shop in the village once she has enough resources.
However, she said since they are in pairs; sometimes it becomes difficult to meet clients’
demands as it happens that the machine is in the hands of a colleague.
Another woman Joana Felikisi of Kaphonde Village T/A Kamenyagwaza said following the
strides they have made, many women who were initially earmarked for the project but
ignored are now pestering them to learn from them.
She said the project had been a success to her as the proceeds from tailoring have helped
her in the farming venture.
“During the previous season I did not have problems in caring for my crops. I used part of the
money from tailoring to hire overtime workers. This eventually boosted my yield,” she said.
Felikisi therefore appealed to the UN Women to consider re-launching the initiative as more
desperate women are in need.

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In T/A Kamenyagwaza, Dedza, women were put in groups to undergo a hands-on tailoring
training and after the training the implementing partner MACOHA gave out the machines to
the women to be operating them in pairs.

Page | 95
Mother groups curbing violence against learners
While many learners in several primary
schools suffer violence in silence,
learners at Kantchito and Kiwe Primary
Schools in Dedza and Karonga
respectively have a different story to
tell.
Kantchito school learners say the
establishment of the Mother group at
their school by a UN Women funded
project has enabled many learners to
open up on the violence which they
experience both at school and home.
At the school, the organization was
implementing a Women Empowerment
Programme (WEP) through the Malawi
Girl Guide Association (MAGGA). Through MAGGA’s intervention, learners are taught all
forms of violence that they may experience from elders as well as peers.
One learner Isaac Richard who is in Standard 7 said: “Around here cases of sexual harassment
were very common and most of the times girls would just take it as a normal thing. But through
MAGGA, we learned that this is a form of violence and the perpetrators need to be
reported.”
He said the engagements with members of the mother group have been vital because they
have helped in sending a strong message to perpetrators.
Constance Kumwenda of Kiwe primary school Mother Group in Karonga explained that
people especially men are now afraid to lure primary school girls to bed. She said this is
because of their massive sensitization drive in their area.
“We wanted to do more initiatives but the challenging factor has been resources. We really
want to create a conducive environment for our learners especially girls,” she said.
She added that they have managed to rescue young girls from early marriages and sent
them back to school.
“We have convinced other learners not to mock such kind of learners and we are happy that
we have not received any complaint from the back-to-school learners,” she said.

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Mangochi female Councilors owe it all to UN Women
Female councilors in Mangochi have
attributed their success in the 2019
tripartite elections to UN Women’s
Gender and Governance project.
The councilors said the project which
was under the Women Empowerment
Programme (WEP) and implemented
from 2017 to 2021 offered them a
platform to boost their confidence and
how to become good leaders.
One of the Councilors Ivy Sande of
Malombe-Maiwa ward said the project
helped them in building their
communication skills and that’s why
most of them were able to lure voters.
“As you are aware that during
campaign period, most candidates especially men tend to castigate and embarrass women
contenders, the project trained us to practice issue-based campaign and never waste time
in responding to the outbursts of male candidates,” she said.
Sande who is the youngest female councilor in the district said this strategy worked wonders
for her and it is through this plot that she managed to have more voters. She is in her late 20s.
“After addressing rallies, I could get more positive feedback from people on my approach. I
am told this left many people amused and were convinced that I was the right candidate,”
said Kapichira.
Another councilor Rasheeda Jawadu Saidi said despite not having equal resources as men,
the orientation done by the project implementing partner Catholic Commission for Justice
and Peace (CCJP) proved to be all they needed.
“Honestly some of us never thought that we would win until the leadership orientation by
CCJP which really opened our eyes,” she said.
However, she said they wished the project continued supporting them even after the
elections because as councilors they don’t get enough support from government to pursue
various developmental projects. She said the project’s post-election assistance could help
them retain their seats.

Page | 97
Page | 98
Annex 9: Selected data collection tools
End of Programme Evaluation for the Women Empowerment Programme
End of Project Evaluation
(FOR USE ON MINISTERIAL/CENTRAL LEVEL STAFF)
1. Introduction and project brief
Good morning/afternoon. My name is________________. We are collecting data on behalf of
UN Women as part of an end of project evaluation for the Women Empowerment
Programme.
UN women has been implementing the Women Empowerment Programme since 2017 with
support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy. The Women Empowerment Programme aims at
ensuring that women and girls enjoy their full rights and positively contribute to and benefit
from social, economic and political development in Malawi. The programme consists of three
components Gender and Governance; Women and Youth Empowerment through
enterprise development and Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls. UN Women
worked with the Ministry of Gender, Ministry of Agriculture, CCJP, MACOHA, Mhub, MAGGA,
MANASO to deliver on the programme results
Your answers will be confidential. They will be put together with other people we are talking
to, to get an overall picture. It will be impossible to pick you out from what you say, so please
feel free to tell us what you think.
This discussion will take about 60 minutes.
Do you wish to proceed? (Please circle if consent is granted) YES OR NO
2. Interview details
Names of Data Collectors
Date
Place (Office, TA/GVH, School
etc)
Number of Participant(s) Male: Female:
Name and contact of
participant
Start Time
End Time

Important points:
 For the women empowerment component, ministerial/central staff have to respond
on how they have benefited from the programme; mechanisms put in place to
develop and promote inclusive policies to drive women economic empowerment.

Page | 99
  For the EVAW component, ministerial staff have to respond on how they have
benefited from the programme; mechanisms put in place to develop and promote
inclusive policies on eliminating violence against women and girls.
 For the gender and governance component, ministerial/central staff have to respond
on how they have benefited from the programme; mechanisms put in place to
promote gender responsive planning and budgeting.

3. Discussion questions
Relevance (Indicators: evidence of relevance to the needs of beneficiaries and stakeholders;
evidence of monitoring needs of beneficiaries and stakeholders; mechanisms established by
the programme to ensure that the needs of beneficiaries and stakeholders are regularly
assessed and taken into account)
1. What are the main challenges that the country faces; in particular when it comes
to women and girls empowerment and gender equality?
2. What are the existing contextual challenges contributing to these challenges?
3. Did the WEP programme support in the achievement of your plans as a ministry
on empowering women and girls? Probe more what these plans are.
Effectiveness (Indicators: achievement of intended or unintended, positive or negative results
at different levels of the results chain; and contributing factors; differential results across
groups and understanding the factors that influence outcomes (inclusiveness and equity of
results amongst beneficiary groups – who benefited the most and why).
4. How has the WEP programme built your capacity as a Ministry/organization to
address women empowerment and gender equality challenges (probe on
support received)? How has this enabled you to work better (how the support has
helped your ministry)?
5. What mechanisms have you put in place as a ministry/organization to promote
women empowerment and gender equality as a result of the support you have
received from the programme? Do you attribute these to UN Women programme
alone or there are other factors?
6. Are these mechanism working, if yes or no, please explain?
7. How are you fairing as a ministry/organization when it comes to women in decision
making positions? (Record statistics if available).
Efficiency (Indicators:
8. Do you think the resources for the programme were rightly invested/spent in view
of your needs as a ministry/organization to promote women empowerment and
gender equality? Probe for reasons.
Coherence (Indicators:
9. Were there other similar programmes being implemented by your
ministry/organization? What were these programmes?

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 10. Were efforts put in place to avoid duplication of interventions? Probe for more.
Sustainability (Indicators: components of the enabling environment (strengthening of
systems, institutions or capacities to support future development); the continuation of positive
effects (actual sustainability i.e. the continuation of net benefits created by the intervention
that are already evident; and prospective sustainability i.e. the net benefits for key
stakeholders that are likely to continue into the future)
11. Do you think the results of the programme will continue beyond the programme?
12. Why do you think so? (probe for enabling/disabling factors)
Gender Equality and Human Rights (Steps taken to include all stakeholders and participants
to inform design and implementation; Steps taken to challenge existing power dynamics to
promote gender equality and human rights)
13. Explain how you were involved in ensuring the programme integrated human
rights and gender equality?
14. Do you think the programme contributed to challenging existing power dynamics
to promote gender equality? Or did the programme contribute to debates
challenging imbalanced power relations between men, women or boys, girls?

Page | 101
End of Programme Evaluation for the Women Empowerment Programme
End of Project Evaluation
(FOR USE ON IMPLEMENTING PARTNER)
1. Introduction and project brief
Good morning/afternoon. My name is________________. We are collecting data on behalf of
UN Women as part of an end of project evaluation for the Women Empowerment
Programme.
UN women has been implementing the Women Empowerment Programme since 2017 with
support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy. The Women Empowerment Programme aims
at ensuring that women and girls enjoy their full rights and positively contribute to and
benefit from social, economic and political development in Malawi. The programme
consists of three components Gender and Governance; Women and Youth Empowerment
through enterprise development and Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls. UN
Women worked with the Ministry of Gender, Ministry of Agriculture, CCJP, MACOHA, Mhub,
MAGGA, MANASO to deliver on the programme results
Your answers will be confidential. They will be put together with other people we are talking
to, to get an overall picture. It will be impossible to pick you out from what you say, so
please feel free to tell us what you think.
This discussion will take about 60 minutes.
Do you wish to proceed? (Please circle if consent is granted) YES OR NO
2. Interview details
Names of Data Collectors
Date
Place (Office, TA/GVH, School
etc)
Number of Participant(s) Male: Female:
Name and contact of
participant
Start Time
End Time

Important points:
 For the women empowerment component, ministerial/central staff have to respond
on how they have benefited from the programme; mechanisms put in place to
develop and promote inclusive policies to drive women economic empowerment.

Page | 102
  For the EVAW component, ministerial staff have to respond on how they have
benefited from the programme; mechanisms put in place to develop and promote
inclusive policies on eliminating violence against women and girls.
 For the gender and governance component, ministerial/central staff have to
respond on how they have benefited from the programme; mechanisms put in
place to promote gender responsive planning and budgeting.

3. Discussion questions
Relevance (Indicators: evidence of relevance to the needs of beneficiaries and
stakeholders; evidence of monitoring needs of beneficiaries and stakeholders; mechanisms
established by the programme to ensure that the needs of beneficiaries and stakeholders
are regularly assessed and taken into account)
1. What are the main challenges that the country faces; in particular when it
comes to women and girls empowerment and gender equality?
2. What are the existing contextual challenges contributing to these challenges?
3. Did the WEP programme support in the achievement of your plans as an
organization on empowering women and girls? Probe more what these plans
are.
Effectiveness (Indicators: achievement of intended or unintended, positive or negative
results at different levels of the results chain; and contributing factors; differential results
across groups and understanding the factors that influence outcomes (inclusiveness and
equity of results amongst beneficiary groups – who benefited the most and why).
4. What are the main results/achievements you have achieved as a cooperative
which you have achieved as a result of the support from the programme?
5. Which factors, in your opinion, affected the extent of achievement of results?
6. On the main results you have achieved, do you attribute them to all to the
programme; or there were are factors or support you received?

7. Which groups of women have benefited more from the programme? Which factors,
in your opinion, has led to this?
8. Did the programme promote any kind of innovative practices in order to achieve
results?
Efficiency (Indicators: Actual compared to planned expenditure by thematic area; actual
compared to planned timeline of delivery of outputs; programme management costs
compared to programme intervention costs; programme expenditure on monitoring and
accountability mechanisms).
9. Do you think the resources for the programme were rightly invested/spent in view
of your needs as an organization to promote women empowerment and gender
equality? Probe for reasons.

Page | 103
Organization Amount Amount Total Date of project Date Date Date
of of amount commencement and and and
funding funding of amount amount amoun
applied approved funding of first of of third
for received tranche second tranch
Disbursement received tranche receive
record received

Coherence (Indicators: Programme synergies with other interventions (a) by UN Women

Malawi; (b) other actors).
10. Were there other similar programmes being implemented by your organization?
What were these programmes?
11. Were efforts put in place to avoid duplication of interventions? Probe for more.
Sustainability (Indicators: components of the enabling environment (strengthening of
systems, institutions or capacities to support future development); the continuation of
positive effects (actual sustainability i.e. the continuation of net benefits created by the
intervention that are already evident; and prospective sustainability i.e. the net benefits for
key stakeholders that are likely to continue into the future)
12. Do you think the results of the programme will continue beyond the
programme?

13. Why do you think so? (probe for enabling/disabling factors)

Gender Equality and Human Rights (Steps taken to include all stakeholders and participants
to inform design and implementation; Steps taken to challenge existing power dynamics to
promote gender equality and human rights)
14. Explain how you were involved in ensuring the programme integrated human
rights and gender equality?
15. Do you think the programme contributed to challenging existing power
dynamics to promote gender equality? Or did the programme contribute to
debates challenging imbalanced power relations between men, women or
boys, girls?

Page | 104
End of Programme Evaluation for the Women Empowerment Programme
End of Project Evaluation
(FOR USE ON DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER; DISTRICT GENDER OFFICER)
1. Introduction and project brief
Good morning/afternoon. My name is________________. We are collecting data on behalf of
UN Women as part of an end of project evaluation for the Women Empowerment
Programme.
UN women has been implementing the Women Empowerment Programme since 2017 with
support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy. The Women Empowerment Programme aims
at ensuring that women and girls enjoy their full rights and positively contribute to and
benefit from social, economic and political development in Malawi. The programme
consists of three components Gender and Governance; Women and Youth Empowerment
through enterprise development and Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls. UN
Women worked with the Ministry of Gender, Ministry of Agriculture, CCJP, MACOHA, Mhub,
MAGGA, MANASO, and WILSA, to deliver on the programme results
Your answers will be confidential. They will be put together with other people we are talking
to, to get an overall picture. It will be impossible to pick you out from what you say, so
please feel free to tell us what you think.
This discussion will take about 60 minutes.
Do you wish to proceed? (Please circle if consent is granted) YES OR NO
2. Interview details
Names of Data Collectors
Date
Place (Office, TA/GVH, School
etc)
Number of Participant(s) Male: Female:
Name and contact of
participant
Start Time
End Time

3. Discussion questions
Relevance (Indicators: evidence of relevance to the needs of beneficiaries and
stakeholders; evidence of monitoring needs of beneficiaries and stakeholders; mechanisms
established by the programme to ensure that the needs of beneficiaries and stakeholders
are regularly assessed and taken into account)

Page | 105
 1. What are the main challenges that this district faces; in particular when it comes
to women and girls empowerment and gender equality?
2. What are the existing contextual challenges contributing to these challenges?
3. Did the programme support in the achievement of your plans as a district or
office on empowering women and girls? Probe more what are these plans.
Effectiveness (Indicators: achievement of intended or unintended, positive or negative
results at different levels of the results chain; and contributing factors; differential results
across groups and understanding the factors that influence outcomes (inclusiveness and
equity of results amongst beneficiary groups – who benefited the most and why).
4. How has the WEP programme built your (or that of the district) capacity to
address women empowerment and gender equality (support received)? How
have these enabled you to work better (how the support has helped you or your
office)?
5. What mechanisms have you put in place as a district to promote women
empowerment and gender equality as a result of the support you have received
from the programme? Do you attribute these to UN Women programme alone
or there are other factors?
6. Are these mechanism working, if yes or no, please explain?
Efficiency (Indicators:
7. Do you think the resources for the programme were rightly invested/spent in view
of your needs as a district/office to promote women empowerment and gender
equality? Probe for reasons.
Coherence (Indicators:
8. Were there other similar programmes being implemented in the districts? What
were these programmes?
9. Were efforts put in place to avoid duplication of interventions? Probe for more.
Sustainability (Indicators: components of the enabling environment (strengthening of
systems, institutions or capacities to support future development); the continuation of
positive effects (actual sustainability i.e. the continuation of net benefits created by the
intervention that are already evident; and prospective sustainability i.e. the net benefits for
key stakeholders that are likely to continue into the future)
10. Do you think the results of the programme will continue beyond the
programme?
11. Why do you think so? (probe for enabling/disabling factors)
Gender Equality and Human Rights (Steps taken to include all stakeholders and participants
to inform design and implementation; Steps taken to challenge existing power dynamics to
promote gender equality and human rights)
12. Explain how you were involved in ensuring the programme integrated human
rights and gender equality?

Page | 106
 13. Do you think the programme contributed to challenging existing power
dynamics to promote gender equality? Or did the programme contribute to
debates challenging imbalanced power relations between men, women or
boys, girls?

Page | 107
End of Programme Evaluation for the Women Empowerment Programme
End of Project Evaluation
(FOR USE ON CBO, MOTHER GROUP MEMBERS)
4. Introduction and project brief
Good morning/afternoon. My name is________________. We are collecting data on behalf of
UN Women as part of an end of project evaluation for the Women Empowerment
Programme.
UN women has been implementing the Women Empowerment Programme since 2017 with
support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy. The Women Empowerment Programme aims
at ensuring that women and girls enjoy their full rights and positively contribute to and
benefit from social, economic and political development in Malawi. The programme
consists of three components Gender and Governance; Women and Youth Empowerment
through enterprise development and Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls. UN
Women worked with the Ministry of Gender, Ministry of Agriculture, CCJP, MACOHA, Mhub,
MAGGA, MANASO, and WILSA, to deliver on the programme results
Your answers will be confidential. They will be put together with other people we are talking
to, to get an overall picture. It will be impossible to pick you out from what you say, so
please feel free to tell us what you think.
This discussion will take about 60 minutes. Do you wish to proceed? (Please circle) YES OR
NO
1. Interview details
Names of Data Collectors
Date
Place (Office, TA/GVH, School
etc)
Number of Participant(s) Male: Female:
Name and contact of
participant
Start Time
End Time

2. Discussion questions
Relevance (Indicators: evidence of relevance to the needs of beneficiaries and
stakeholders; evidence of monitoring needs of beneficiaries and stakeholders; mechanisms
established by the programme to ensure that the needs of beneficiaries and stakeholders
are regularly assessed and taken into account)

Page | 108
 1. What are the main social norms, harmful cultural practices contribute to
violence against women and girls in the district?
2. What are the existing contextual challenges on ending violence against women
and girls?
3. Did the programme support in the achievement of your plans as a group on
violence against women and girls? Probe more what are these plans.
4. What are the trends in terms of cases of violence against women in your
area/place/school/organization? Are the cases rising, if yes, why and what
could be the reasons for the rise; if no, why? Let the office share statistics on the
same for the past three years
Effectiveness (Indicators: achievement of intended or unintended, positive or negative
results at different levels of the results chain; and contributing factors; differential results
across groups and understanding the factors that influence outcomes (inclusiveness and
equity of results amongst beneficiary groups – who benefited the most and why).
5. How has the WEP programme built your (or that group) capacity to address
violence against women and girls in the district (support received)? How have
these enabled you to work better (how the support has helped your group)?
6. What mechanisms have you put in place as a group to address violence against
women and girls?
7. Which social norms, harmful cultural practices perpetuating violence against
women and girls have you successfully influenced/change on? Which of these
norms or attitudes have been transformed? Had this led to reduction of violence
against women and girls in your area?
8. What mechanisms have you put in place in your
area/place/school/organization to help girls and women that experienced
violence (victims)?
Efficiency (Indicators: extent to which allocation of resources to targeted groups took into
account their needs, including prioritization for the most marginalized)
9. Do you think the resources for the programme were rightly invested/spent in view
of your needs as a group to address violence against women and girls? Probe
for reasons.
Coherence (Indicators: coherence with interventions implemented by other stakeholders)
10. Were there other similar programmes being implemented in your
area/place/school/organization? What were these programmes?
11. Were efforts put in place to avoid duplication of interventions? Probe for more.
Sustainability (Indicators: components of the enabling environment (strengthening of
systems, institutions or capacities to support future development); the continuation of
positive effects (actual sustainability i.e. the continuation of net benefits created by the
intervention that are already evident; and prospective sustainability i.e. the net benefits for
key stakeholders that are likely to continue into the future)

Page | 109
 12. Do you think the results of the programme will continue beyond the
programme?
13. Why do you think so? (probe for enabling/disabling factors)
Gender Equality and Human Rights (Steps taken to include all stakeholders and participants
to inform design and implementation; Steps taken to challenge existing power dynamics to
promote gender equality and human rights)
14. Explain how you were involved in ensuring the programme integrated human
rights and gender equality?
15. Do you think the programme contributed to challenging existing power
dynamics to promote gender equality? Or did the programme contribute to
debates challenging imbalanced power relations between men, women or
boys, girls?
The end

Page | 110
End of Programme Evaluation for the Women Empowerment Programme
End of Project Evaluation
(FOR USE ON SCHOOL CHILDREN - GIRLS)
1. Introduction and project brief
Good morning/afternoon. My name is________________. We are collecting data on behalf of
UN Women as part of an end of project evaluation for the Women Empowerment
Programme.
UN women has been implementing the Women Empowerment Programme since 2017 with
support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy. The Women Empowerment Programme aims
at ensuring that women and girls enjoy their full rights and positively contribute to and
benefit from social, economic and political development in Malawi. The programme
consists of three components Gender and Governance; Women and Youth Empowerment
through enterprise development and Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls. UN
Women worked with the Ministry of Gender, Ministry of Agriculture, CCJP, MACOHA, Mhub,
MAGGA, MANASO, and WILSA, to deliver on the programme results
Your answers will be confidential. They will be put together with other people we are talking
to, to get an overall picture. It will be impossible to pick you out from what you say, so
please feel free to tell us what you think.
This discussion will take about 60 minutes. Do you wish to proceed? (Please circle) YES
OR NO
2. Interview details
Names of Data Collectors
Date
Place (Office, TA/GVH, School
etc)
Number of Participant(s) Male: Female:
Name and contact of
participant
Start Time
End Time

3. Discussion questions
Relevance (Indicators: Evidence of relevance to the needs of beneficiaries and
stakeholders; Evidence of monitoring of relevance to the needs of beneficiaries (inc. use of
disaggregated data) and stakeholders; mechanisms established by the programme to
ensure that the needs of beneficiaries and stakeholders are regularly assessed and taken
into account)

Page | 111
 1. What are the main social norms, harmful cultural practices contribute to
violence against girls in your school or area?
Effectiveness: (Indicators: achievement of intended or unintended, positive or negative
results at different levels of the results chain; and contributing factors; differential results
across groups and understanding the factors that influence outcomes (inclusiveness and
equity of results amongst beneficiary groups – who benefited the most and why).
2. As girls do you feel safe from violence in this school? Why do you think so?
3. What measures have been put in place for you to feel safe in this school –
especially as girls?
4. In case you are abused, or have experience violence, do you know where to
report?
5. Has anyone of you reported experiences of violence? If no, why? If Yes, were
you helped after reporting?

Page | 112
End of Programme Evaluation for the Women Empowerment Programme
End of Project Evaluation
(FOR USE ON COPERATIVES MEMBERS – FGD)
5. Introduction and project brief
Good morning/afternoon. My name is________________. We are collecting data on behalf of
UN Women as part of an end of project evaluation for the Women Empowerment
Programme.
UN women has been implementing the Women Empowerment Programme since 2017 with
support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy. The Women Empowerment Programme aims
at ensuring that women and girls enjoy their full rights and positively contribute to and
benefit from social, economic and political development in Malawi. The programme
consists of three components Gender and Governance; Women and Youth Empowerment
through enterprise development and Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls. UN
Women worked with the Ministry of Gender, Ministry of Agriculture, CCJP, MACOHA, Mhub,
MAGGA, MANASO, and WILSA, to deliver on the programme results
Your answers will be confidential. They will be put together with other people we are talking
to, to get an overall picture. It will be impossible to pick you out from what you say, so
please feel free to tell us what you think.
This discussion will take about 60 minutes.
Do you wish to proceed? (Please circle if consent is granted) YES OR NO
6. Interview details
Names of Data Collectors
Date
Place (Office, TA/GVH, School
etc)
Number of Participant(s) Male: Female:
Name and contact of
participant
Start Time
End Time

1. Discussion questions
Relevance (Indicators: evidence of relevance to the needs of beneficiaries and
stakeholders; evidence of monitoring needs of beneficiaries and stakeholders; mechanisms
established by the programme to ensure that the needs of beneficiaries and stakeholders
are regularly assessed and taken into account)

Page | 113
 1. What are your main needs as women in this area?
2. What are the existing contextual challenges affecting you to fulfill your needs in
this area?
3. Explain how you feel the support from the programme helped you or the
cooperative in fulfilling some of your needs in this area? (Probe more to get
details).
4. As a cooperative, what are your main plans? Did the support you received from
the help fulfill some of your plans?

Effectiveness (Indicators: achievement of intended or unintended, positive or negative

results at different levels of the results chain; and contributing factors; differential results
across groups and understanding the factors that influence outcomes (inclusiveness and
equity of results amongst beneficiary groups – who benefited the most and why).
5. What are the main results/achievements you have achieved as a cooperative
which you have achieved as a result of the support from the programme?
6. Which factors, in your opinion, affected the extent of achievement of results?
7. How are the main results you have achieved attributed to the programme?
8. In addition to what you have explained, were there any factors or support you
received from elsewhere?
9. Which groups of women have benefited more from the programme? Which
factors, in your opinion, has led to this?
10. How did the programme promote any kind of innovative practices in order to
achieve results?
Efficiency (Indicators: extent to which allocation of resources to targeted groups took into
account their needs, including prioritization for the most marginalized)
11. Do you think the resources for the programme were rightly invested/spent in view
of your plans as a cooperative? Probe for reasons.
12. How would you evaluate the management and coordination of the support you
received?
Coherence (Indicators: coherence with interventions implemented by other stakeholders)
13. Were there other similar programmes being implemented in your cooperative by
other organizations? What were these programmes? How were they working
with these programs?
14. Were efforts put in place to avoid duplication of interventions? Probe for more.
Sustainability (Indicators: components of the enabling environment (strengthening of
systems, institutions or capacities to support future development); the continuation of
positive effects (actual sustainability i.e. the continuation of net benefits created by the

Page | 114
intervention that are already evident; and prospective sustainability i.e. the net benefits for
key stakeholders that are likely to continue into the future)
15. Do you think the results of the programme will continue beyond the
interventions?
16. Why do you think so? (probe for enabling/disabling factors)

Gender Equality and Human Rights (Steps taken to include all stakeholders and participants
to inform design and implementation; Steps taken to challenge existing power dynamics to
promote gender equality and human rights)
17. Explain how you were involved in ensuring the programme integrated human
rights and gender equality? (Probe the follow up questions)
18. How did the programme contribute to the existing power dynamics to
promote gender equality? Or did the programme contribute to debates
challenging imbalanced power relations between men, women or boys, girls?

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 End of Programme Evaluation for the Women Empowerment Programme
End of Project Evaluation
(FOR USE ON BENEFICIARY CASE STORIES/STUDIES)
7. Introduction
Introduce yourself and explain purpose of exercise.
Good morning/afternoon. My name is________________. We are collecting data on behalf of
UN Women as part of an end of project evaluation for the Women Empowerment
Programme.
 To capture first-hand testimonies of real women and girls, and highlighting the
impact and results of UN Women’s work
Manage expectations
 Explain that while the team will be asking general questions about their situation and
needs, this does not mean that they can commit to ensuring these needs are met in
the future. The participants should not have any expectations from the team after
this.
Explain participation/consent
 They are free, of course, to participate or not (Not a must).
Your answers will be confidential. They will be put together with other people we are talking
to, to get an overall picture. It will be impossible to pick you out from what you say, so
please feel free to tell us what you think.
This discussion will take about 60 minutes. Do you wish to proceed?

Name of Interviewer: Name of village:

T/A:
District:

Name of Interviewee: Date:

Get the basic info first: Write out her full name. Read it back to her/his or show it to her/his on
paper if needed to confirm the correct spelling. Add the name of her/his village or city. Ask
for her/his age (if she shares it) and birth date (in case of delays in publishing the profile). If
she/he is a parent, ask how many kids she/he has. If she/he is employed, ask for her/his job
title (if relevant). Finally, find out how she/he is connected to programme (if unsure). Keep in
mind broader Government of Malawi ambitions.
Note: The story-telling approach should be based on the ‘issue, action, impact’. Aim for two
to four great quotes.

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Photos: A good high-resolution photograph. Ideally the photo should be posed and set in a
home or environment. Ensure the story protagonist is the clear focus of the image and has
clear facial expressions.

QUESTIONS

1. What challenges do you face in your work/daily life? (Challenge in relation to

activity)
2. How has this [SPECIFIC CHALLENGE] impacted your family?
3. How does that make your feel?
4. How long has this [SPECIFIC CHALLENGE] been an issue for you? [or When did this
all start?]
5. What has the implementing partner/UN Women done to help you overcome this
challenge?
6. Specify the assistance the implementing partner UN Women has provided to
you?
7. How has this assistance changed your life/do you think this will change your life?
8. Do you think the assistant you received would have been provided well? Please
explain?
9. How does this make you feel?
10. Any comments/Questions

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Annex 10: Lead evaluator profile

Hope Msosa: Has a Master of Science Degree in Applied Development Studies (with
distinction) from the Graduate Institute of International Development and Applied
Economics, University of Reading, United Kingdom. He also has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in
Education (with strong credit) from Mzuzu University, Malawi. He also has received a number
of short-term trainings in child rights, women’s rights and protection programming; policy and
power research and advocacy; project management; evaluation management; institutional
partnership development among others.
From 2010, he has undertaken assignments related to human rights (children and women’s
rights) programming with UN Women Malawi; Oxford Policy Management; Save the Children
Malawi; Save the Children Tanzania & Zanzibar; UNICEF Malawi, Family for Every Child
International (formerly Every Child International); Gracia Machel Foundation; UNFPA Malawi;
as well as SOS Children’s Villages International where he’s supported in rapid programme
assessments; baseline benchmarking and strategy formulation process support in East and
Southern Africa (26 countries).
He has extensive experience working with an international non-governmental organization
at senior country-level strategic advisory for 10 years; as well as regional strategic advisory
and support in East and Southern Africa (e.g. Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana,
Somalia, Somaliland, Ethiopia, Swaziland, South Africa).

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UN WOMEN IS THE UN ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO GENDER EQUALITY AND THE
EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN. A GLOBAL CHAMPION FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS, UN
WOMEN WAS ESTABLISHED TO ACCELERATE PROGRESS ON MEETING THEIR NEEDS
WORLDWIDE.

UN Women supports UN Member States as they set global standards for

achieving gender equality, and works with governments and civil society to
design laws, policies, programmes and services needed to implement these
standards. It stands behind women’s equal participation in all aspects of life,
focusing on five priority areas: increasing women’s leadership and participation;
ending violence against women; engaging women in all aspects of peace and
security processes; enhancing women’s economic empowerment; and making
gender equality central to national development planning and budgeting. UN
Women also coordinates and promotes the UN system’s work in advancing
gender equality.

UN Women Malawi Office

Evelyn Court Compound
Area 13/31
P.O. Box 31774
Lilongwe 3, Malawi
Tel: +265 1 772 541

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