Malawi

High population growth in a small area has made Malawi one of Africa's most densely populated countries. Since only approximately seven per cent of the country's population has access to electric power, the need for firewood has led to severe deforestation. The consequences are erosion, depletion of soil and landslides. Rain fall is unpredictable, and in some places the damaged soil is unable to absorb moisture when the rains eventually come. The result is drought and floods. The authorities' efforts to increased food security have strengthened the livelihood of many people. Yet in several districts, particularly in the south, food security is threatened by climate change.

The Norwegian focus:

• Good governance
• Combating HIV and AIDS
• Climate-adapted agriculture
• Women and gender equality
• Human rights for sexual minorities

Women and gender equality

Norway is continuing its cooperation with local organisations focusing on combating human trafficking and violence against women. The support to organisations working to improve prison conditions for women and children, is also continuing.

Leading up to elections in 2011, there is a campaign aiming at increased participation of female candidates.

The rights of sexual minorities

Also in Malawi, 2010 was a year with great challenges relating to human rights and sexual minorities. This issue has been raised with high level representatives from the country's authorities several times. The homosexual couple Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza was convicted, but granted a pardon by Malawi's President, Bingu wa Mutharika. They had been sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment for unnatural acts and gross indecency in May 2011. This is the strictest punishment allowed by law.

In a joint declaration with the EU, Norway expressed concern after the conviction. Norway pointed to the fact that the conviction was in conflict with international human rights conventions as well as Malawi's international commitments. Norway continues to address issues related to persecution of sexual minorities, and works to obtain information and documentation regarding the situation for sexual minorities in Malawi.

Agriculture

For more than a decade, Norway has actively supported the work of the Malawian authorities to develop strategies for a making the country's agricultural sector more efficient. The country's economy is based on agriculture, and food security is a serious problem due to floods, drought and deforestation. Particularly in the last few years, Norway has played an important part in agricultural development. In November 2008, an agreement regarding support to an agriculture sector plan (ADP) was signed. This plan calls for increased coordination in the agricultural sector as a way of addressing the challenges related to food security. The plan recommends the strategic use of chemical fertilizer in combination with organic methods to promote national food security and sustainable natural resource management, as well as economic growth.

National Smallholder Farmers Association in Malawi (NASFAM) has received Norwegian support for ten years, and so far NOK 116 million has been disbursed. The organisation has contributed to increased productivity in agriculture, and 50 per cent of the small-scale farmers who are members, cultivate sufficient food to provide for their families. Peanuts cultivated by NASFAM farmers, have now been approved as Fair Trade products.

The cooperation with Norway has had a positive impact on NASFAM, and the organisation now performs better on programme execution, economic management and self evaluation. Women are included in the management at all levels.

Norway is now involved in the start-up phase of two new projects: the Chilwa Basin Conservation Project and the Transfrontier Conservation Area. The first one is a geographically limited project focusing on climate related efforts within the framework of social forestry. Malawi and Zambia cooperate on this project. The project goal is to preserve local natural resources and bio diversity.

Budget support

Norway is an active donor and partner in the field of public economic management, and provides budget support through the Common Approach to Budget Support (CABS) group. In addition, Norway is an active partner in anti-corruption initiatives and in efforts to strengthen public institutions such as the Office of the Auditor General, the National Statistics Office and the national bank (RBM).

The Norwegian Embassy has actively supported the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and has kept a high public profile in relation to the work against corruption. Despite a number of challenges related to a high turnover of staff and a lengthy process before parliamentary approval of the new Director, ACB has been able to achieve positive results during the past year.

Miscellaneous:

• Work with a new climate programme at Bunda College has started.
• Support to the national AIDS programme was terminated.
• Cultural cooperation has been expanded to include cultural heritage within music, literature and theatre.
• The Embassy has extended its agreement with the Copy Right Society of Malawi, a special interest organisation for Malawian artists. The organisation has cooperated on a copy rights project with KOPINOR, and the agreement has been extended by three years, with the Embassy as a partner. The programme also focuses on art and culture as important tools in development work.