In 2013, Coram International was contracted by UNICEF Malawi to conduct an assessment of existing practices within primary and secondary schools in Malawi that aim to prevent and address violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect. The project began with an extensive desk review and the development of an inception report, which informed in-country research over all regions and six districts across Malawi. In addition to conducting an evaluation of existing practices, the final report made recommendations to strengthen curricular and extra-curricular activities to protect children, and to build the capacity of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) to implement these approaches.
In 2012, Coram International conducted an assessment to identify entry points for strengthening child protection within early childhood development in Malawi. A key feature of the assessment was to understand cultural attitudes and practices concerning child protection within the cultural/community context in Malawi. This involved an inquiry into the different ways that parents, carers, service providers, children and other understand what constitutes harm of children, and how these perceptions, together with social and household dynamics related to cultural constructions of childhood, shape individual’s expectations, choices and experiences related to child abuse and protection. The paper also included a chapter on child protection in the context of witchcraft in Malawi. The aim of the research was to make specific, practical, evidence-based recommendations for strengthening the national child protection system in Malawi, to ensure coverage of children ages 0-8 years. The final report included indicators for monitoring and evaluating child protection achievements.
