Malawi – Inclusive Workplaces and Climate Resilience for Women Entrepreneurs

The Malawi interventions focused on promoting gender equality in workplaces and building resilience for women-owned businesses against climate-related risks. One intervention supported ECAM in conducting a nationwide gender audit to address discrimination and harassment, while the other worked with NABW to identify policy and financial gaps and develop tools for helping women entrepreneurs recover and build back better after climate shocks.

• Conducted a nationwide gender audit with ECAM to address workplace discrimination, harassment, and violence.
• Developed a training manual and delivered capacity-building sessions for ECAM staff, members, and partners.
• Produced a strategic action plan to guide ECAM’s efforts in promoting gender-responsive workplaces.
• Conducted a technical study with NABW to assess climate-related risks facing women-owned businesses.
• Produced a gender finance checklist, training manual, policy brief, and strategic action plan to support resilience-building.
• Delivered a capacity-building workshop for women entrepreneurs and associations on risk assessment, business continuity, and advocacy.

• ECAM used the audit to influence legal reviews, engage CEOs and boards on ILO C190, and develop a validated model policy on workplace violence and harassment.
• Mobilised companies to adopt GBV policies, doubling participation in the Gender Equality category of the Employer of the Year Awards.
• NABW reported improved business planning and resilience among women entrepreneurs, with adoption of risk management strategies and business continuity practices.
• Several entrepreneurs resumed operations after climate-related setbacks, showing increased confidence and market engagement.
• NABW secured a grant (July 2025–January 2027) to lead advocacy on financial inclusion, using ICR-supported tools and resources to inform implementation.