On 30 July 2024, Link Malawi unveiled a pivotal research initiative aimed at advancing innovative strategies for gender equality, inclusion, and safeguarding. This significant event, held at the Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe, was themed “Scaling for Impact Towards an Inclusively Wealthy and Self-Reliant Malawi.” The Honourable Minister of Education, Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima, M.P., presided over the launch ceremony, which met a wide selection of stakeholders including government ministries (Education and Gender), development partners, civil society representatives, community-based learning facilitators, the National KIX Coordinators, and media. UNESCO’s International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (IICBA) took part virtually.
The project “Scaling-up Innovative Gender, Inclusion, and Safeguarding Approaches: Evidence from Malawi, Uganda, and Ethiopia” is a collaborative research initiative supported by the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange, a joint endeavour with the International Development Research Centre, Canada. Executed by Link Malawi alongside the Ministry of Education and other consortium members, the study aims to tackle the obstacles hindering children, especially girls, from accessing, completing, and actively taking part in education. It highlights the difficulties in expanding successful educational innovations and the need for more insights into effective scaling strategies. The fragility in scaling up often stems from diminished ability, insufficient resources, or the governments’ challenges in making decisive choices that empower educators to implement new methodologies. Research will be undertaken in Ethiopia and Uganda, as well as Malawi.
In her opening remarks, the Minister of Education, Honourable Madalitso Wirima, M.P., said the innovative project will help expand access and enhance the utilisation of basic literacy, numeracy and livelihood skills attained by young people for effective participation in sustainable personal, community, and national development.
LCDM Malawi Board Chair, Dr Simeon Hau emphasized the need for collaboration and partnership to ensure that no child is left behind, saying, “together we can create a world where every child enjoys their right to education”.
The event concluded with a fruitful engagement led by University of Malawi – Centre for Education Research and Training (CERT) which equipped stakeholders with knowledge and clear understanding of scale up that delivers impact on Gender, Inclusion and Safeguarding approaches.
