NGO Gender Coordination Network - Malawi

NGO Gender Coordination Network - Malawi The NGO-GCN has grown to be a network enhancing the great strides in Gender interventions in Malawi. NGO-GCN currently has a membership of 63 NGOs.

In today's Nation Newspaper, Women's Manifesto Movement is featured reaffirming it's commitment to complement Government...
20/04/2026

In today's Nation Newspaper, Women's Manifesto Movement is featured reaffirming it's commitment to complement Government efforts in addressing the challenges facing women and girls in Malawi.

This comes just days after the movement of which NGO Gender Coordination Network - Malawi is one of the partner organisations held a courtesy meeting in Lilongwe with the Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Hon Mary Navicha -MP , led by the Women's Manifesto Originator who is also NGO-GCN Board Chairperson Mrs. Maggie Kathewera Banda focusing on the same agenda.

Today, the Originator of the Women’s Manifesto Movement, Chairperson of NGO Gender Coordination Network, and Executive D...
17/04/2026

Today, the Originator of the Women’s Manifesto Movement, Chairperson of NGO Gender Coordination Network, and Executive Director of Women’s Legal Resources Centre, Mrs. Maggie Kathewera Banda, led Organisations championing women’s rights to an engagement session with the Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Hon. Mary Navicha-MP alongside senior ministry officials.

In her remarks, Mrs. Kathewera Banda stated that the courtesy call was aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Ministry and the organisations as they work to amplify women’s voices, promote gender equality, respond to gender-based violence, and expand opportunities for women’s economic and social empowerment.

At the close of the meeting, Hon. Mary Navicha and other top Ministry officials were presented with copies of the Women’s Manifesto, an advocacy tool for advancing gender equality and protecting women’s and girls’ rights.

In her response, the Minister expressed appreciation for the continued support from the organisations and assured the Government’s commitment to supporting the Women’s Manifesto and other initiatives that complement the Ministry’s efforts in advancing the rights of women and girls.

Apart from NGO-GCN, the meeting was attended by representatives from Women’s Legal Resources Centre (WOLREC), Girls Empowerment Network (GENET), Human Rights of Women and Girls with Disabilities, and Oxfam.



Women's Legal Resources Centre - WOLREC
Oxfam in Malawi
Ministry of Gender, Malawi

Our Board Chairperson Mrs. Kathewera Banda is featured in today's Daily Times Newspaper calling for urgent action to add...
14/04/2026

Our Board Chairperson Mrs. Kathewera Banda is featured in today's Daily Times Newspaper calling for urgent action to address the rising cases of the brutal killing of women and girls across the country.


10/04/2026



The NGO Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN) has raised alarm over what it describes as a “deepening national crisis” of killings targeting women and girls, demanding immediate government intervention.

In a statement issued today, NGO-GCN chairperson Maggie Kathewera Banda says the country is witnessing an “alarming and accelerating wave” of brutal murders, warning that the attacks are no longer isolated incidents but a pattern fuelled by impunity.

She adds that women and girls are being abducted and killed with disturbing frequency, with perpetrators largely going unpunished.

“Since the beginning of 2026, women and girls have been disappearing… only to be discovered brutally murdered,” states Kathewera-Banda, adding that continued inaction by authorities is heightening fear and insecurity.

The NGO-GCN has cited recent cases, including the killing of a 26-year-old woman in Liwonde and a 22-year-old university student whose body was found dumped in a bush, as evidence of the growing crisis.

The coalition of 63 civil society organisations has faulted law enforcement agencies for failing to stem the violence, saying the lack of arrests and prosecutions has emboldened criminals.

The coalition has since issued a series of demands, including the immediate deployment of emergency security measures, swift arrests and prosecutions, and increased police presence in communities and learning institutions.

It also called for greater transparency from the Malawi Police Service and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions through regular public updates on investigations and prosecutions.

Beyond authorities, NGO-GCN urged communities, traditional leaders and citizens to take an active role in protecting women and reporting suspicious activities.

“The time for statements and assurances is over. The time for urgent, visible and decisive action is now,” the statement reads.

The grouping warned that continued delays risk more lives,

10/04/2026

The NGO Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN) has made an urgent call for immediate action to stop the killing of women and girls, describing the situation as a deepening national crisis.

This follows recent cases, including a 26-year-old woman killed in Liwonde and a 22-year-old Lake Malawi Anglican University student found dead, wrapped in a mosquito net and dumped in a bush.

In a press statement, the coalition of 63 local NGOs has demanded emergency protection, swift arrests and accountability from authorities.

NGO-GCN Chairperson Maggie Kathewera Banda said that the country is witnessing a systematic pattern of brutality, with women and girls disappearing and later found murdered.

“Every hour of delay is a threat to a woman's or girl’s life,” the statement read.


-Malumbo Ngwira-
Image: Kathewera Banda

NGO Gender Coordination Network demands immediate action to stop the killing of women and girls in the country. More det...
10/04/2026

NGO Gender Coordination Network demands immediate action to stop the killing of women and girls in the country. More details in this shared press release.

Malawi Police Service

10/04/2026

The NGO Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN) has expressed concern over the rising cases of killings of women and girls in the country.

In a press statement, NGO-GCN Chairperson Maggie Kathewera Banda says it is alarming that since January this year, there have been reports of girls and women going missing, only to be found brutally murdered.

She says this is happening despite assurances from authorities and law enforcement agencies that they will curb the malpractice.

Recently, a 26-year-old woman was found dead in a lodge in Liwonde, while a 22-year-old student at Lake Malawi Anglican University was found dead in Area 47, wrapped in a mosquito net, among other cases.

“Every day that passes without decisive action is a day another woman or girl may lose their life, and that is a burden that no society claiming to uphold justice and dignity can afford to carry,” says Kathewera Banda.

The NGO-GCN is calling on authorities to intensify security, and to arrest, prosecute, and swiftly punish perpetrators. It has also urged the introduction of emergency protection measures nationwide to ensure the safety of women and girls.

Congratulations are in order! UN Women Malawi
08/04/2026

Congratulations are in order!
UN Women Malawi

Congratulations the new Chief Executive Officer for National Youth Council of Malawi ! National Youth Council of Malaw...
08/04/2026

Congratulations the new Chief Executive Officer for National Youth Council of Malawi !



National Youth Council of Malawi

As we are in the Easter Period.....
04/04/2026

As we are in the Easter Period.....

30/03/2026



Executive Director for WOLREC and Board Chairperson for the NGO Gender Coordination Network (NGOGCN), Maggie Kathewera Banda, says despite progress in women’s empowerment, many women entrepreneurs, especially those in rural areas, continue to face serious challenges in growing their businesses.

Speaking on Monday during a virtual engagement marking the end of Women’s Month, under the theme “Investing in Women Entrepreneurs,” Kathewera-Banda said poor infrastructure remains one of the biggest obstacles affecting women in business.

She noted that inadequate road networks in rural areas continue to limit women’s access to markets, making it difficult for them to expand their businesses and reach more customers.

UN Women Malawi Country Representative Letty Chiwara echoed Banda’s concerns, saying there is a need for financial institutions to review lending conditions, particularly collateral requirements, to make loans more accessible to women entrepreneurs.

By Alufisha Fischer, Contributor

NGO Gender Coordination Network Chairperson, the originator of the Women’s Manifesto Movement, and the Executive Directo...
30/03/2026

NGO Gender Coordination Network Chairperson, the originator of the Women’s Manifesto Movement, and the Executive Director of the Women’s Legal Resources Centre, Mrs. Maggie Kathewera Banda, today led a delegation in a meeting with the Chief Secretary to Government, Dr. Justin Saidi.

During the meeting, the delegation expressed appreciation for the appointment of women to key political leadership positions, including the Office of the Vice President and other led women leadership positions.

It was also emphasized during the discussions that Government should place greater emphasis on adhering to the Gender Equality Act when making appointments, ensuring adequate representation of women in the process.

In his response, the Chief Secretary to Government welcomed the issues raised during the meeting and expressed openness to continued engagement with the delegation.

Mrs. Maggie Kathewera Banda was accompanied by officials from NGO Gender Coordination Network and members of the Women’s Manifesto Movement.


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