In Malawi, the Women in Climate Action Network (WONECAM) is advancing women’s leadership in climate decision-making. With the support of Climate Action Africa, through the NDC Partnership, this short-term technical assistance is helping the government strengthen its climate response while ensuring women’s voices are central to policy and action. To further this work, upcoming regional stakeholder consultation workshops are planned in Mzuzu, Blantyre, and Dowa — a chance for local actors to get involved and help shape WONECAM’s structures at the council level.
Establishing Women in Climate Action Network (WONECAM) Structures at the Council Level in Malawi
Women are among the most affected by climate change — yet they are often underrepresented in the decisions that shape their lives. To shift this dynamic, the Government of Malawi launched the Women in Climate Action Network in Malawi (WONECAM) in 2022 to ensure women’s full and equal participation in climate policy and action.
While national-level efforts are already underway through the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare (MOGCDSW), the next critical step is to build strong WONECAM structures at the council level, where climate impacts are most severe and where women’s leadership can make a transformative difference.
This objective is being supported through the Climate Action Africa (CAA) project, funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Alinea, Econoler, and WSP.
The Equal Lead Climate Consortium (Joëlle Matte, Leadsea, Equalab IDC) has been tasked to respond to these objectives as the CAA technical expert team, with widespread expertise in gender and climate supporting initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa.
To advance this work, regional stakeholder consultation workshops are planned in Mzuzu, Blantyre, and Dowa to convene local actors for the establishment of district-level WONECAM structures. These sessions will assess capacity needs, enable the delivery of tailored training essential to strengthening climate action locally and advance Malawi’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Each workshop will be participatory and inclusive, engaging grassroots women leaders, youth activists, local councils, NGOs, and the media. Facilitation will use problem mapping, visioning exercises, and stakeholder mapping, supported by local languages and inclusive approaches to ensure accessibility.
Stakeholder consultations dates:
- Tuesday, 26 Aug – Dowa
- Thursday, 28 Aug – Blantyre
- Monday, 01 Sept – Mzuzu
For more information and to participate locally, please contact: Tawonga Kayira — [email protected]
Let’s build a climate-resilient Malawi through women’s leadership!
More information: here.
