Malawi study and reflection workshop advance understanding of gendered social norms

Since September 2021, the JP GTA has been partnering with CARE International in Malawi to carry out a social norms diagnostic study in five districts. The objective of this study is to understand the gendered social norms that influence the financial inclusion of women and youth who are members of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs).

By analyzing the existing gender norms and their impact on financial behaviors, the Joint Programme seeks to design and implement interventions that can help youth and women members of selected VSLAs in the districts of Balaka, Kasungu, Mangochi, Nsanje and Zomba to improve their financial inclusion.

To share the preliminary findings of the study, review their implications and determine possible programme adjustments, CARE facilitated a two-day reflection and Outcome Mapping workshop in Lilongwe in May 2022. Around 30 participants joined and contributed to the workshop, representing the United Nations (UN) Rome-based Agencies – FAO, IFAD and WFP – and other UN agencies, the European Union’s Delegation in Malawi, national authorities and universities, local and international NGOs, as well as financial service providers.

“Evidence shows that social norms are key drivers of the financial inclusion gender gap. However, despite such evidence, financial inclusion programming still does not systematically analyze or widely incorporate the influence of gender norms,” explained Loïs Archimbaud, FAO’s member of the JP GTA Technical Advisory Committee.

Learn more