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FY 1997 Development Fund For Africa: $42,979,872
Introduction.
Malawi is a small land-locked country about the size of Pennsylvania located in southeastern Africa. It is one of the poorest democracies in the world. With a population of about 10.3 million and limited land resources, the population density is high relative to the amount of arable land available. Malawi has maintained a strong relationship with the World Bank (IBRD) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) since the early 1980s, and is regarded as a star macroeconomic performer. U.S. assistance to Malawi supports U.S. foreign policy interests in a democratic and economically prosperous southern Africa. Malawi has been a strong supporter of U.S. positions in international fora, including participation in international peacekeeping missions. U.S. assistance is also strongly linked to consolidating Malawi's fledgling democracy, following the free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections in May 1994 which ended thirty years of authoritarian rule. Promoting private sector-led free-market development, and programs to advance the U.S.'s global health, population, and environmental agenda are also fundamental to USAID'S program. Finally, U.S. humanitarian interests are linked to improving Malawi's food production capabilities to counter droughts sand reduce dependency on international relief.
The Development Challenge.
Malawi's development is impeded by its narrow economic base, concentrated ownership of assets, limited foreign and domestic investment, meager mineral resources, and poor employment opportunities. Its growth potential is hindered by high population growth (2.9% per year) and low education levels. Less than half of Malawi's population is literate. Social welfare indicators and per capita incomes have worsened since independence. Life expectancy at birth is under 45 years. The infant mortality rate (134 per 1,000) and malnutrition are among the highest in Africa. Only half the population has access to safe drinking water and the prevalence of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS is increasing. Annual per capital gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated at about $100.
The vast majority of Malawians live and work in rural areas, making both survival and economic growth dependent on agriculture. The country's food and agricultural problems have been exacerbated by three serious droughts in the past four years. The modern commercial economy is small and is dominated by a few firms that hold monopoly or near-monopoly power over trade, agribusiness, and the financial sector. High population density, small land holdings, traditional agricultural techniques and pervasive poverty contribute to deforestation, overworked soils and low agricultural output.
In spite of Malawi's development problems, peace in the southern Africa region and Malawi's own transition to be pluralistic and open political and economic system have brought a spirit of hope and opportunity. Macroeconomic management and the policy framework are fundamentally sound, marked by aggressive and realistic fiscal management, good monetary policy, and market-determined exchange rates. Many of the most serious economic distortions particularly in agricultural marketing and financial sector concentration, are being reduced with clear benefits accruing to the poor majority. A comprehensive assault on poverty began in 1995 with significant government, private sector, and donor support. New education policies have increased enrollment in primary schools by more than 50%. The Government of Malawi's (GOM) emphasis on poverty alleviation gives hope to the rural poor and has ignited a new sense of purpose throughout may previously disadvantaged groups. Given the magnitude and complexity of the country's developmental problems, however, Malawi is not a candidate for rapid graduation from development assistance. To build on the country's economic progress and its commitment to restructure its economy to benefit all Malawians, U.S. assistance to Malawi will be required for the foreseeable future.
Other Donors.
The United States vies with the United Kingdom as Malawi's largest and most influential bilateral partner. Other major contributors include: the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations (UN) agencies, the African Development Bank (ADB), Germany, Japan, Canada, and the European Union. In recognition of Malawi's potential to invest development assistance wisely, the Netherlands and Denmark recently announced significant expansions in their development programs in Malawi.
FY 1997 Program.
USAID's strategy for helping Malawi achieve broad-based sustainable economic growth concentrates on raising agricultural incomes, improving environmental management, reducing population growth, improving primary education, and building democratic institutions. Increasing rural incomes through institutional reforms and capacity building that increase competition, liberalize markets, and improve management of the country's constrained natural resources is essential to improving the standard of living of the majority of the population. Improving access to family planning services, child health programs, primary education, especially for girls, and awareness of HIV/AIDS transmission reduce the pressure on Malawi's limited resources. Improving the quality of primary education leads to a greater human capacity and potential. Building the public, private and voluntary institutions for Malawi's democratic future will ensure that resources are best used to benefit and protect all Malawians.
The USAID program in Malawi focuses on the agriculture and natural resources sectors to stimulate economic growth, health and population, primary education, and democracy and governance efforts.
Agency Goal: Encouraging Broad-based Economic Growth
Increasing competition and access to agricultural markets while improving the management of Malawi's natural resources are the first steps to increasing per capita incomes and ensuring national food security. In the agriculture and natural resources areas, USAID programs develop market-based service institutions, increased economic opportunities for smallholder, develop public capacity for policy reform, and introduce low-cost agroforestry practices to improve soil fertility and increase crop yields. During the past year USAID has expanded its successful activities to further liberalize agricultural input and commodity markets. GOM seed and fertilizer subsidies have been eliminated for the 1995/96 season. These reforms provide private traders with the environment required to expand their activities and begin building a dynamic rural economy based on markets rather than state controls. Traders are responding by aggressively entering the market.
USAID also expanded on-going efforts to enhance market competitiveness and reform GOM parastatal institutions whose operations directly impact smallholder farmers. The GOM reviewed agricultural sector parastatals and government sponsored organizations to begin the task of privatizing them. The role of the marketing parastatal in consumer and producer pricing was reduced and a wide price band was established as an alternative to fixed pricing to stabilize maize prices. Previous administrative restrictions on smallholder cropping have also been eliminated, leaving smallholder farmers free to cultivate any crop they desire and sell it to whomever they wish. The result has been greater food security and higher incomes for those smallholder that have been able to take advantage of the liberalized markets. The rapidly increasing number of smallholder farm families (from 7,000 to over 90,000 in the past four years) producing for the export market as well as the substantial increases in non-maize food crops represent the most visible expansions in smallholder crop production resulting from USAID-sponsored activities. In fact, combined with USAID support the multiplications and distribution of improved cassava and sweet potato planting material to smallholder farmers, USAID assistance has led to dramatically expanded hectarage and significant increases in yield for these low-input, drought-resistant food security crops.
A significant reduction in transportation costs is essential to improving financial returns to Malawi's small farmers. The restructuring of Malawi Railways and the development of a transport policy to encourage domestic and regional competition is crucial to achieving this. During the past year Malawi Railways took bold steps that included liquidating the old company and its redundant assets; cutting its loss-making passenger service; and structuring a new railroad through a major retrenchment. Preparations are now well underway for privatization. Meanwhile rail haulage is saving substantial amounts in transport costs for inputs and export products as competition between rail and road routes increases.
The GOM is committed to economic liberalization. Faced with an inherited and seriously distorted macro-economic framework, the new government moved quickly during its first year in office to drastically cut expenditures, increase revenues, stabilize the country's currency and eliminate subsidies. Tight monetary and fiscal policies haw eliminated the GOM's ability to provide incentives to farmers through any method other than market forces; i.e., price policy. That said, the elimination of fertilizer, seed and credit subsidies at the same time that the Malawi kwacha depreciated almost four-fold resulted in a dramatic increase in the domestic price of inputs. In addition, three years of drought during the 1991-95 period reduced maize production. These factors have placed even greater upward pressure on the consumer price of maize man would normally be expected from price liberalization alone. In this climate of dynamic change, liberalization has unleashed the powerful incentive of higher prospective prices and incomes for farmers and traders.
The results of the USAID program over the past year have been impressive indeed. Smallholder incomes improved significantly. Led by tobacco producers, smallholders also saw high returns from a record harvest of cassava, sweet potatoes, and sorghum. Area planted to non-maize and drought resistant crops increased significantly, reducing Malawi's vulnerability to drought and that trend is continuing. Liberalization of the input market led to an increase in both fertilizer use and quantities marketed through small, private traders. This will positively impact on 1996 yields of both smallholder maize and tobacco. FY 1997 funds will continue on-going programs to further transform the sector by expanding smallholder agricultural enterprise development to support the continued development of crop diversification and sustainable agro-forestry technologies, and the expansion of food security monitoring and early warning systems.
Malawi's economic growth potential is currently limited by high levels of illiteracy. The country's basic education system is weak and overtaxed. While there has been a significant policy turn-around that now encourages school enrollment, this has exacerbated the problems facing a primary school system in which schools remain overcrowded, many teachers are poorly trained, and teaching materials are inadequate. Access to primary education is a serious problem, especially for girls. High dropout and repetition rates further reduce the efficiency of the system. With USAID's assistance since 1992 and the introduction of free primary education in 1994, access has improved. Key results achieved in the past year include an increase in enrollment rates (and an increasing share of girls in total enrollment) in primary schools; a dramatic increase in the GOM's budget and budget share for primary education; reduction in girls' repetition and dropout rates in primary schools and a notable increase in girls' admissions to secondary schools in USAID's pilot district. In addition, the GOM has prepared a policy and investment framework for the education sector, with inputs from non-governmental groups and donors, that provides good direction for solving the system's many problems. For example, it has recruited over 20,000 new teachers and has solid plans for training them.
Under the Girls' Attainment in Basic Literacy and Education (GABLE) Program, USAID is providing support to improve planning for the education sector. A classroom construction program is underway with support from GABLE and other donors. Quality of education will continue to be a major concern. USAID, through the GABLE program, the GOM and other donors should continue to work closely together to ameliorate factors inhibiting quality. In addition, although the GOM's budget commitment to primary education is strong, it is constrained by the overall macroeconomic situation. Donors,including USAID, should continue working with the GOM to make the difficult macro and sectoral reforms to achieve budgetary self-sufficiency after this transitional period.
Together, high infant and child mortality rates contribute to reducing the rate of economic growth. Nearly one-half of all children are chronically malnourished. In an average year a child contends with six bouts of diarrhea, three or more episodes of malaria, and repeated respiratory infections. Vaccination coverage increased steadily from the mid-1980s to a high of about 81% of all children in 1992. Since then it has fallen to around 75%.
In 1995, the GOM demonstrated its priority for public health services by allocating increasing proportions of a restricted budget to the health sector and ensuring that greater percentages of that funding went to finance rural health services. However, progress in management and institutional reforms in the health sector were stalled for most of the year. The result was a dire shortage of drugs and medical supplies. One notable exception to this, however, was anti-malarial drugs. Supplies of first line treatment provided by USAID were available throughout the year and preliminary data indicate that morbidity and mortality due to malaria have declined. USAID also sponsored two initiatives to promote greater use of impregnated bed nets and curtains in pilot areas, and initial acceptance is promising. FY 1997 funds will finance the further expansion of rural health partnerships to build capacity for improved rural services.
Agency Goal: Stabilizing World Population Growth and Protecting Human Health
Malawi's population growth rate, one of its key development constraints, is presently among the highest in the world. High population growth is both a cause and effect of poverty, illiteracy, poor health, and low levels of female education. One of USAID's objectives in Malawi helps to lower the population growth rate through encouraging the adoption of modern contraceptive methods, while another targets the specific problems associated with girls' educational attainment.
Although the total fertility rate dropped from an estimated 7.2 children per woman in 1984 to 6.7 in 1992, the rate remains high. Since 1992, regulations restricting the provision of contraceptive methods to married women with children have been removed. But only in 1994 did the GOM adopt an aggressive national population policy that recognized that Malawi's population growth rate was too high. The GOM is striving to transform progressive policies into action programs and has intensified its efforts, following the International Conference on Population and Development. Also, the GOM resolved to expand voluntary family planning services. During this past year it enacted guidelines aimed at improving access to services and streamlined its contraceptive management system.
In 1995 USAID assistance helped update the curriculum for training family planning providers. Also, USAID assistance enabled the National Family Welfare Council to conduct an orientation briefing for new parliamentarians on Malawi's reproductive health program. The USAID-supported Chishango condom social marketing campaign that was launched in September 1994 has greatly exceeded expectations. After only one year on the market, over 4 million condoms were sold. In a recent survey. Moreover, 50% of respondents stated that they used condoms for family planning purposes and 80% were aware that condoms protect against unwanted pregnancy as well as sexually transmitted diseases. These ratios chart remarkable progress in a country where until recently even the word condom was seldom used. The implementation of activities through the GOM has been delayed due to the lack of qualified personnel, inadequate financing and problems requiring substantial ministerial restructuring. USAID has pledged to assist in this area in 1997 and will also focus on training toincrease the number of family planning providers and update the knowledge and skills of those currently providing services.
Although an alarmingly high 12% of the adult population is infected with HIV, data from several studies conducted in 1994 suggest the rate of HIV transmission may be slowing in both urban and rural areas. However, continued investments in activities aimed at behavioral change and expanded service delivery are crucial. USAID's substantial on-going investments in this activity will continue unabated.
The positive relationship between greater female educational attainment and lower fertility has been extensively documented. In Malawi, a major USAID activity aims directly at identifying and eliminating constraints placed on girls that keep them out of school. A community level social mobilization campaign was completed in one of Malawi's 24 districts with dramatic results, including: a marked increase in girl's enrollments; a substantial reduction in female dropouts (for the first time the drop-out rate for girls was lower than that for boys); and a dramatic increase in the number of girls accepted to secondary school. FY 1997 funds will continue to support the nation-wide expansion of the campaign.
Agency Goal: Protecting the Environment
Soil erosion and deforestation have reached alarming proportions in Malawi. As a result, smallholders are increasingly facing chronic shortages of wood for fuel and shelter. Another serious concern is the loss of biodiversity and wildlife resources, which results in a loss of tourism potential. Diminishing surface and ground water supplies are causing intermittent water and power shortages. Concomitant siltation and contamination of streams, rivers, dams, and lakes have far reaching effects, including the increased danger of flooding. Land access and ownership issues abound and negatively affect farmers' willingness to invest scarce resources in protection activities. USAID efforts, only recently initiated, focus first on the establishment of a unifying, comprehensive policy and legislative framework governing natural resources management; strengthened capacity of the public and private institutions responsible for managing natural resources and the environment; introduction of management systems that focus on achievement of community-level performance targets (i.e., that link financial disbursements with achievement of specific results at the community level); and achievement of sustainable financing for private initiatives. Efforts in this area are relatively new, but build on USAID's limited, but highly successful involvement with pilot programs in agroforestry and land management. Major program activities to support this goal were initiated in FY 1996, so it is still too early to assess progress and results. FY 1997 funding will support the expansion of community-based action programs, environmental monitoring efforts, an environmental education program, and strengthening wildlife conservation activities.
Agency Goal: Building Democracy
After 30 years of repressive one party rule, Malawi joined the family of democratic nations with free and fair national elections in May 1994. The United States, through USAID, has a significant opportunity to contribute to Malawi's efforts to consolidate its democratic system. One of USAID's major objectives in Malawi is to increase dramatically Malawian participation in transparent and accountable political and economic institutions.
Over the past two years, USAID efforts have helped to strengthen the parliament by establishing a women's caucus and oversight committees; strengthen the judiciary through training; and, expand the electoral commission by establishing a permanent secretariat and improving the administration ofelections. However, Malawi's democratic institutions are young and fragile and the executive branch remains dominant after 30 years of dictatorship. Continued assistance is required, and there is ample evidence that this assistance is making a difference. Moreover, the parliament is holding open debates, making amendments to legislation introduced by the executive and has recently passed comprehensive anti-corruption legislation. The electoral commission has successfully conducted free and fair parliamentary by-elections in several districts with no outside support. Civic groups are beginning to lobby parliament and GOM ministries. Finally, the judiciary overturned several important decisions made by the executive branch. The political parties and the GOM have increased their efforts to communicate the rationale for, and consequences of, economic policies and are now discussing important policy issues publicly with civil society.
Malawi's institutions of civil society and democratic governance have made plans and taken steps to increase their capabilities. But, institutional development is a long-term process, especially when enthusiasm and vulnerabilities are particularly high. Strong support from USAID and other donors is most critical.
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Encouraging Broad-based Economic Growth |
Stabilizing World Population Growth & Protecting Human Health |
Protecting the Environment |
Building Democracy |
Providing |
TOTALS |
|
|
USAID Strategic Objectives |
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1. Increased Agricultural Incomes on a Per Capita - Dev. Fund for Africa |
7,321,426 |
7,321,426 |
||||
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2. Increased Sustainable Use, Conservation, & Management of Renewable Natural Resources - Dev. Fund for Africa |
14,591,467 |
14,591,467 |
||||
|
3. Increased Adoption of Measures that Reduce Fertility and HIV - Dev. Fund for Africa |
12,855,491 |
12,855,491 |
||||
|
4. Increased Access to, and Quality and Efficiency of Basic Education, Especially for Girls - Dev. Fund for Africa |
3,600,000 |
|
3,600,000 |
|||
|
5. Institutional base for Democratic Participation Strengthened and Broadened -Dev. Fund for Africa |
2,000,000 |
2,611,488 |
|
4,611,488 |
||
|
Totals - Dev. Fund for Africa |
12,921,426 |
12,885,491 |
14,591,467 |
2,611,488 |
42,979,872 |
USAID Mission Director: Cynthia F. Rozell
PROGRAM: MALAWI
TITLE AND NUMBER: Increased Agricultural Incomes on a Per Capita Basis, 612-S001
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1997: $7,321,426 DFA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1996; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2000
Purpose: To increase smallholder access to agricultural inputs, output markets, and cash crop production alternatives using policy dialogue and project assistance.
Background: Agriculture is the backbone of the Malawian economy. It employs 85% of the economically active population, accounts for 38% of the GDP, involves 91% of the labor force and produces over 90% of Malawi's foreign exchange earnings. The elimination of policies and practices that discriminate against smallholders, while improving market access by restructuring parastatal monopolies, are the first steps to increasing incomes and ensuring national and household food security. Increased agricultural incomes will improve access to education and health services.
USAID Role and Achievements to Date: USAID has focused its efforts on increasing smallholder cash incomes. Its joint effort with the GOM has significantly reduced the economic control of the parastatal marketing organization and is proving instrumental in gaining legal access for smallholders to world markets for their cash crops. The USAID program has already helped increase smallholder production and incomes. Smallholder farmers are growing more cash crops of their choice, marketing those crops freely, and retaining a higher proportion of the selling price. The number of women farmers selling export crops directly to the international market has increased by almost 30%. The program has also increased employment and income for rural labor as well as those producing goods and services for farmers with higher disposable incomes.
Description: Achieving broad-based economic growth in Malawi depends on increasing rural agricultural incomes. Rural income growth is restricted first and foremost by the prices farmers receive for their crops. In the past the GOM controlled input and output prices, and maintained policies that inhibited the development of competitive markets and kept a lid on farm gate prices. High transportation costs for imported inputs, such as fertilizers, also constrained agricultural productivity and rural income growth. USAID's primary focus is on increasing per capita rural incomes as the foundation for broad-based economic growth. This will be achieved through activities aimed at: (1) decontrolling agricultural input and output markets, thereby creating a conducive environment for; (2) expanding farmer-owned rural agribusiness and cooperative marketing activities: and (3) reducing the transportation costs of imported agricultural inputs and exports.
Host Country and Other Donors: Other major donors include the World Bank and European Community (EC). The World Bank provides agricultural research, extension services, rural credit assistance and rail transportation commodity assistance. The EC provides assistance in improving household food security through expanded use of fertilizers, agroforestry and other land husbandry techniques. While other donors are also involved in the sector, their contributions are more limited and geographically focused. Host country contributions include in kind and budgetary support to activities contributing to the achievements of this objective.
Beneficiaries: The 1.8 million smallholder farm families with limited access to resources, including 390,000 female-headed families, and all farmers who rely on imported inputs and exporters.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: USAID implements activities through University of Arizona/Clark University, Harvard Institute for international Development, Washington State University, Lincoln University (Jefferson City, Missouri), Agricultural Cooperative Development International, Bunda
College of Agriculture (Malawi), International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, and several government ministries.
Major Results Indicators: Baseline Target
Real per capita incomes for smallholder tobacco producers $153 (1992) $255 (1997)
Share of smallholder cultivated area planted to non-maize
crops 19% (1990) 36% (1997)
Ratio of smallholder root crop area to smallholder maize area 6.8%(1990) 15% (1997)
Purpose: To increase sustainable use, conservation and management of renewable natural resources by establishing a policy framework and an environment that will empower Malawi to reverse the current destruction of the natural resource base.
Background: Income increases and food security can only be assured K Malawi protects its inherited resource base. Rampant depletion of the country's forests, soil and water resources is undermining its agricultural base - upon which 95% of Malawians depend for food, employment and energy. Failure to undertake policy and institutional reforms along with community-based protection activities entails enormous risks for chronic malnutrition, worsening national incomes, civil strife and long-term donor dependence. Improved natural resource management is also linked to achievement of other U.S. Government objectives in Malawi (i.e., agriculture and population}. Improved land management contributes to increased agricultural productivity and hence increased rural incomes. The latter enhances economic security leading to reduced family size. Increasing rural incomes of 85% of the poorest Malawians is the major challenge to consolidating the country's fragile democracy. Finally, economic growth in Malawi will not be self-sustaining without preservation of the resource base.
USAID Role and Achievements to Date: This strategic objective, initiated in FY 1995, significantly expands on USAID's limited but highly successful involvement with pilot programs in agroforestry and environmental monitoring. The primary vehicle for achieving this objective is the new Natural Resources Management and Environmental Support Program (NATURE). NATURE activities began in FY 1996 with the Government of Malawi's (GOM) satisfactory completion of initial program conditions. It is too early to assess progress and results.
Description: Under this strategic objective, the GOM will establish a unifying, national policy and legislative framework governing natural resource management; strengthen the human, institutional and legal resources responsible for managing natural resources; introduce a management system that focusses on achievement of field-level accomplishments (i.e., links financial disbursements to achievements of specific performance targets); and establish mechanisms for the sustainable financing of private environmental initiatives. Supporting these objectives are activities in such areas as environmental policies, environmental education, community-based natural resources management and overall provision of technical support.
Host Country and Other Donors: Other donors, primarily the World Bank, European Community and the British Overseas Development Administration, are actively developing assistance programs directed at natural resource management and addressing constraints and opportunities that complement USAID's program. USAID's efforts focus on enabling the policy and institutional environment to enhance feasibility, success and sustainability of all GOM and donor financed program and project activities in this sector.
Beneficiaries: The 85% of Malawi's population live and work in rural areas. Improved natural resource management contributes to increase agricultural productivity and hence increased sustainable rural incomes and food security.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: Activities under this strategic objective will be implemented primarily through the University of Arizona/Clark University, Academy for Educational Development, and six government ministries.
Major Results Indicators:
Baseline1/ Target2/
Area of indigenous woodland under community TBD 11996) TBD 11997)
based management
Cultivated land under improved conservation TBD 11996) TBD (1997)
practices
Purpose: To reduce fertility by supporting the Government of Malawi and private sector family planning, HIV/AIDS and child survival programs.
Background: Malawi's fertility, HIV infection and infant and child mortality rates are among the highest in the world. High fertility and mortality are closely interlinked. Both are a cause and effect of poverty, illiteracy, and the poor health, educational attainment and socio-economic status of women. Because studies have shown that contraceptive use is low where infant and child mortality is high, improved child survival contributes significantly to reducing fertility. About one in seven adults is HIV positive in Malawi. HIV/AIDS afflicts those in their most productive years, which adversely affects economic growth and per capita incomes.
USAID: Role and Achievements to Date: Malawi's total fertility rate declined from 7.2 to 6.7 between 1984 and 1992. Infant mortality rates dropped from 138 to 134 deaths per 1,000 live births, while under five mortality is now reported at 234, as compared with 246 five years earlier. USAID efforts have also contributed to the increased decentralization of health services and management; a revised family planning policy; the training of over 600 community health workers; provision of potable water for some 40,000 persons; and improved quality of health care. USAID-sponsored research has led to a revised malaria control program resulting in the introduction of fansidar as the first line treatment for malaria. While the fight against the spread of the AIDS virus is beyond USAID's manageable interest, there has been progress in the number of condoms marketed, improved treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and noted changes in behavior as a result of HIV/AIDS education programs.
Description: USAID focuses on increasing access to family planning and services. USAID and its partners also develop and disseminate HIV/AIDS and STDs prevention materials among high-risk groups and the general population. This includes: increasing access to condoms and condom education messages; providing greater access to family planning information and the private and public clinic-base services; increasing couple-years-of protection through modern methods; and expanding the community of family planning service providers. USAID also works to expand the capacity of district health providers to deliver primary health interventions; improve the effectiveness of treatment of malaria; increase safe water supplied to rural communities; and increase the use of oral rehydration therapy for diarrhea.
Host Country and Other Donors: Other donors include the European Community, World Bank, Overseas Development Agency (ODA) United Kingdom, United Nations Children's Fund, World Health Organization, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Development Program and German aid. UNFPA supports a number of training and communication initiatives. The ODA is working with non-government organizations to expand the number of subsidized family planning clinics in urban and semi-urban areas. Injectables and Norplant are provided by ODA. The World Bank supports training health workers and improving clinic facilities. The Germans provide funds for the social marketing of contraceptives.
Beneficiaries: Women of child-bearing age, infants and children under five.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: USAID implements activities through John Snow International, Inc., Save the Children Federation U.S., Project HOPE, International Eye Foundation,Population Services International, World Vision International, Adventist Development and Relief Agency, Malamulo Hospital, National Association of Business Women, Adventist Health Services, Malawi Association of Spices and Herbs, and the Ministry of Health and Population.
Major Results Indicators:
Baseline Target
Contraceptive Prevalence Rate 7.4 (1992} 12.6 (1997)
(percentage using modern contraceptive methods)
Average number of sexual partners reported in TBD3/ (1996) TBD4/ (1997)
last 4 weeks (male/female)
Percentage of condom use reported - male 7.2 (1992) 20.0 (1997)
Percentage of condom use reported - female 1.4 (1992) 20.0 (1997)
Oral Rehydration Therapy use rate 63 (1992) 80 (1997)
(percentage of children under five with diarrhea
who have been treated for two weeks with
oral rehydration salts)
Purpose: To increase children's attainment, especially that of girls, in basic education by increasing access to and quality and efficiency of primary education.
Background: Malawi's primary education system is weak and overtaxed. While there has been some improvement in the past three years, schools are overcrowded, teachers are poorly trained, and teaching materials are inadequate Access to primary education has been a serious problem, especially for girls. High dropout and repetition rates further reduce the efficiency of the system. With USAID's assistance and the introduction of free primary education, the situation has improved and most children now have access to school, but not necessarily to a quality education.
USAID Role and Achievements to Date: With USAID's assistance, and in spite of its fiscal problems, the Government of Malawi (GOM) has demonstrated its strong commitment to primary education by allocating more resources to this subsector than any other. The GOM in introduced free primary education and promoted gender programs to advance girls' education. The total education budget devoted to learning materials has increased from about one percent in 1993/1994 to 8.6% in 1994/1995. USAID-funded activities also work directly with communities to encourage enrollment and persistence in school, especially for girls. USAID provides technical expertise to the GOM to introduce more efficient and better quality teaching methodologies. The mission's focus on girls has paid off as all statistics indicate rising numbers and proportions of girls in school at both the primary and tertiary levels. The utilization of Malawi's teacher training college has been improved. Nationwide registration of all primary pupils is now done regularly, providing basic planning and management data for school administration. A pilot social mobilization campaign was completed, and the campaign was launched nationwide in October 1995.
Description: USAID's Girls' Attainment in Literacy and Education Program (GABLE) focuses on three ar as: increasing the long-term financial resource base for primary education; improving the quality, availability, and efficiency of primary education; and improving the relevance of primary education for girls. GABLE technical assistance, training, research, limited commodities, and support of policy reform help to: improve education sector planning and support for policy reform help to: improve education sector planning and budgeting; construct schools; recruit and train teachers; privatize distribution of learning materials; develop gender-sensitive curriculum and establish a girls' scholarship fund. Among GABLE's innovative programs are its social mobilization campaign to develop community action programs for increasing girls' enrollment and retention and a Grant to Save the Children Federation (U.S.) to test new approaches for community governance of schools.
Host Country and Other Donors: The World Bank provides support to primary and secondary education. While the Overseas Development Agency, until recently, concentrated on secondary and tertiary education, it has recently launched a community schools project at the primary level. United Nations Children's Fund has been involved in several small projects supporting adult literacy, pre-school and out-of-school youth. United Nations Development Program and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization support curriculum development and the Ministry of Education's efforts to decentralize planning and management. The European Community provides assistance for school construction, equipment and teacher training. Germany supported teaching of science in primary schools and is about to launch a basic education project. The African Development Bank supports building and equipping primary and secondary schools, and is developing a new education sector credit.
Beneficiaries: All children in Malawi's primary school system, estimated at over three million.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: USAID implements activities through Creative Associates, Save the Children Federation U.S., Academy for Educational Development, University of Malawi, Center for Social Research, Center for Educational Research and Training, and Three Government Ministries.
Major Results Indicators:
Baseline Target
Net enrollment rate in primary school - overall 64.7% (1992) 75.0% (1997)
Net enrollment rate in primary school - girls 65.7% (1992) 75.0% (1997)
Primary promotion rate - overall 66.0% (1993) 70.0% (1997)
Primary promotion rate -girls 65.1% (1993) 70.0% (1997)
Primary pupil:teacher ratio 72.0% (1992) 64.0% (1997)
PROGRAM: MALAWI
TITLE AND NUMBER: Strengthened and Broadened Institutional Base for Democratic Participation, 612-S005
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1997: $5,011,488 DFA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1996; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2000
Purpose: To establish and consolidate democratic and civic institutions in Malawi by supporting efforts to establish and strengthen participatory and transparent governance.
Background: After 30 years of repressive one-party rule, Malawians freely elected a president on May 17, 1994 and adopted a new constitution guaranteeing basic human rights, including equal rights for women. With these steps, Malawi joined the family of democratic nations, and since then has continued to make impressive strides. The new parliament has established committees and procedures and has debated and challenged the new executive. The high court has demonstrated its independence in decisions concerning the conduct of a new government. Malawians, who are enjoying their newfound freedoms, agree that their democratic experience has only begun.
USAID Role and Achievements to Date: USAID has incorporated throughout its portfolio activities aimed at the development of indigenous organizations important to civil society. These organizations promote human rights, civic education, services to smallholder agricultural families, primary education and basic health services. USAID played a significant role in supporting the remarkable political transition that began in 1992 and ended with the successful multiparty democratic elections in 1994. USAID identified a niche early and developed a democracy project, the Democratic and Civic Institution Development project (DECIDE). The mission was thus able to respond quickly to unforeseen and eleventh-hour crises, such as the need for a crash voter education program and election night radio coverage. The mission also worked with a myriad of partners "a necessary task in the pre-election period.
Description: USAID focuses on strengthening newly-formed and weak institutions to ensure that Malawians will benefit from the democratic transition. Technical assistance, training and limited commodities are helping: the parliament to establish standing orders, committees and a women's caucus to better represent the Malawian people's interests; the judiciary to improve its standard and to more effectively manage and dispose of its caseload; the Electoral Commission to strengthen its independent capacity to organize and supervise elections; civil society (including grants for strengthening democracy and human rights); and selected ministries to make the economic reform process more participatory and transparent.
Host Country and Other Donors: Donors developed a common position at the 1992 Consultative Group meeting to promote Malawi's political liberalization, and USAID has subsequently collaborated with the donor community to promote the 1993 referendum and 1994 elections. UNDP supports constitutional and legal reform. United Nations Development Program and International Monetary Fund, working with the Government of Malawi, are leading donors on the issue of public sector capacity building. The European Community is interested in media development, reform of the legal system, and human rights for which it has provided a human rights advisor. Overseas Development Agency helps the Ministry of Justice improve administration, by providing lawyers to reduce the current backlog of cases and training for court interpreters. It will also provide support to improve police training and a code of conduct. Donors work together and with the Ministry of Justice, the judiciary, and the Malawi Law Society to form a strategy for overall legal reform. The Germans are planning support for civic education and government decentralization.
Beneficiaries: All Malawians will benefit from a more transparent and responsive political and
governance system. Direct beneficiaries include court users, civil society organizations, the judiciary, women, parliament, disadvantaged citizens, and local non-government organizations.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: USAID implements activities through the National Democratic Institute, Center for Advice Research and Education on Rights, International Foundation for Electoral Systems, World Learning International, Inc., Christian Service Committee and Winrock International Local NGOs, Parliament, The Electoral Commission, and Four Government Ministries.
Major Results Indicators:
Baseline5/ Target6/
Number of occasions Parliamentary Committees TBD (1996) TBD (1997)
consider submissions by non-governmental and/or
private sector associations
Percentage of people who feel that the courts TBD (1996) TBD (1997)
are providing justice
Percentage of laws discriminating against women TBD (1996) TBD (1997)
amended or overturned by Parliament
Percentage of people who are aware of a public TBD (1996) TBD (1997)
meeting organized by their MP