Background
UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.
UN Women was established in 2010 to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. UN Women’s presence in Malawi has evolved from being a project-based office in 2012 to a Country Office with fully delegated authority in 2014. The work of UN Women in Malawi in the upcoming five-year period will be guided by its new Country Strategic Note (SN) for 2018-2022. The SN is aligned with the Global Strategic Plan of UN Women for 2018-2021 and aims to contribute to the gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Malawi is one of the hardest hit countries in sub Saharan Africa by HIV and AIDS with women and girls particularly at risk of infection. HIV infection rates show gender, age, social status and geographical variations, with infections more prevalent in women than men, urban than rural populations, and in the Southern region compared to the rest of the regions of Malawi. Based on the 2016 MDHS data; HIV prevalence in the 15-49 age group is higher among women (13%) than men (9%) reflecting a widening gender gap between men and women.
Unequal gender relations are the major driver of the epidemic in Malawi. Deeply embedded gender inequalities and harmful gender norms put women, girls, men and boys at risk of HIV infection. According to the HIV Modes of Transmission Model study (2013), 67% of new infections occur in stable heterosexual relationships. Young women and girls are more vulnerable to HIV infection due to their lower socioeconomic status; high prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence (GBV), where 41% of women and girls in the 2010 MDHS reported physical and/or sexual violence); and specific socio-cultural practices, such as initiation ceremonies, widow inheritance, and offering of ‘dry sex’ to please the male partner.
A 2013 GBV survey by the National Statistical office revealed that 61% of females reported having experienced sexual violence compared to 39% of males. There is high prevalence of childhood sexual violence in Malawi. One out of five females and one out of seven males aged 18 to 24 years in Malawi experienced at least one incident of sexual abuse before turning 18 years of age. Furthermore, discussing intimate partner violence remains a taboo as women are at the epicentre of the HIV epidemic in Malawi. Although gender dimensions of HIV are recognized in the country, the gendered structures of power that underscore the risk of women and the youth are not fully understood, and the response fails to engage effectively with the gender context. HIV prevalence for adult women is 13%, compared to 8% for men; and HIV prevalence rate for younger women aged 15–24 (5.2%) is worse compared to their male counterparts (1.9%).
In terms of statistics on spousal violence by region, the Northern and Central region rate is at 47% and Southern Region is currently at 37%. The Malawi Demographic Health Survey reveals that since 2004, the percentage of women who have experienced physical violence since age 15 has risen from 28% in 2004 and 2010 to 34% in 2015-16, and child abuse has risen to 44%, according to Police Statistics. With increased cases of violence against women and girls’, business enterprises fail to grow and the economy suffers as the majority of the population (women and girls) fail to be productive and produce to their potential due to physical injury, emotional stress, sexual abuse and discrimination based on gender.
The huge costs incurred in dealing with cases of domestic violence (DV) for example, by different sectors have a significant bearing on the economic growth and development of the country, because the resources being used on handling the domestic cases could have been channeled to other productive uses for wealth creation. Overall the direct economic cost of handling physical DV cases in 2013 in Malawi was estimated at MKW 877 million or US$ 2, 698,462, at an average cost per case of MKW1,800 (US$5.5).
The Government of Malawi developed a progressive HIV response strategy, the National Strategy for HIV and AIDS 2015 to 2020 (the HIV NSP) that commits to meeting the 90-90-90 targets by 2020. Malawi recognizes the role which gender and power dynamics play in HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. The HIV NSP highlights the importance of addressing gender inequality, harmful gender norms and practices, discrimination and other human rights violations to meet the 90-90-90 targets.
In a bid to effectively implement its 2018 Annual Work Plan under impact Area 3. All Women and girls live a life free from all forms of violence. UN Women, Malawi is seeking a competent and experienced national consultant who has solid knowledge and professional experience in Gender norms, HIV and AIDS, violence against women and girls and prevention of child, early and forced marriages. The consultant is expected to have extensive experience in program implementation, research and advocacy, monitoring and evaluation and reporting and data analysis. The findings of the assignment/ survey will inform the design of the program which is to be implemented in some districts.
The Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAW) social norms (2018 – 2021) project is expected to undertake this study in five districts; Karonga, Ntcheu, Blantyre, Mulanje and Mangochi. However, the intended results are expected to inform UN Women’s partners nationally, those upstream and downstream.
Duties and Responsibilities
The consultant will work under the guidance of the UN Women Representative and under the direct supervision of the Programmes Specialist. The study will involve gathering perceptions around gender norms, attitudes and behaviors that hinder young women, girls’ and the youth to perpetuate gender imbalances and their linkages to HIV and AIDS. It is expected that the survey will inform UN Women’s work and its partners on how they can implement behavior change interventions aimed at promoting favorable gender norms and attitudes at national and community levels.
Specifically, the national consultant shall be responsible for the following:
Conduct a comprehensive baseline survey to obtain views from the youth in Malawi on gender norms and their linkages to HIV and AIDS, as they have experienced and perceived them (as well as other relevant issues)
Map harmful practices, social norms and attitudes that the youth in the five districts perceive as normal and acceptable and perpetuate violence against women and girls, gender based violence and the spread of HIV and AIDS, including practices that influence early marriages
Establish the main indicator framework for the country office on gender norms and HIV and AIDS and develop an M&E framework based on the data collected and developed for 5 districts
Compile a database that will enable the Malawi country office to develop an accurate response to the prevailing situation.
Deliverables
- Detailed and professional reporting that addresses both the overall and specific objectives of the survey, and which includes specific recommendations on issues related to VAW and its linkages to HIV and AIDS. The report must be in English, clearly and concisely addressing the information outlined above. Documentation will include the following:
Work plan and inception report (with key parameters and indicators to be considered for the study including the methodologies for data collection and dissemination. Data collection based on the key output areas in the 2018 EVAW Plan.
Develop and present research tools to understand the prevalence of harmful gender norms and their linkages to HIV and AIDS;
Present results of the study and prepare a draft report for review—clearly identifying information relevant to gender norms and their linkages to HIV and AIDS; as well as data gaps and areas that may require further assessment
Facilitate the dissemination of the study results in the five districts (DEC)
Reporting will include:
A comprehensive and well organized final report that also includes Case studies with testimony from victims of harmful practices related to gender norms and their linkages to HIV and AIDS
An Abridged Report synthesizing the main findings and indicators of the survey
- A set of recommendations on suitable indicators for program monitoring during the implementation and scale up of activities. Recommendations should consider the needs of specific stakeholder groups, and be relevant to the effective impact measurement of programme objectives and outcomes
Competencies
Core Values:
- Respect for Diversity
- Integrity
- Professionalism
Core Competencies:
- Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
- Accountability
- Creative Problem Solving
- Effective Communication
- Inclusive Collaboration
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Leading by Example
Required Skills and Experience
- The qualified consultant must have a Master’s Degree in the field of (social sciences, development studies, behavior and communication, and other relevant fields for the intended assignment)
- Minimum 10 years’ experience in designing, implementing, managing and coordinating baseline survey/research/assessment/etc.
- Excellent academic and research background and proven track record in conducting similar assignments
- Experience in working with the youth/young people
- Knowledge and experience of using research/survey concepts, approaches, tools, techniques, methodologies, sampling, etc.
- Experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection, validation, entry and analysis using statistical software and drafting skills
- Advanced knowledge of and experience in working on issues of gender, gender-based violence, violence against women and girls, women’s rights, gender equality and HIV and AIDS
- Ability to write high quality, clear, concise reports in English
- Fluency in English and Chichewa