Malawi

Factfile:• Country: Malawi• Capital city: Lilongwe• Population: Approx. 14 million • Birth rate is on average 5.9 per woman.• The economy is predominately agricultural, with about 90% of the • population living in rural areas. • One of the least developed countries in the world: 2/3 of population • living in poverty.• It is estimated that in Malawi, a country of approximately 13 million • people, there are around 260 doctors • Life expectancy at birth:

- Men: 44 years - Women: 43 years• 2007 estimate: 930,000 people suffering from HIV/AIDS• Politically turbulent

Since 2002 the Irish Government has funded development programmes in Malawi. This funding amounts to 3 million euro per year.

Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty & Hunger • Achievements:- New agricultural initiatives - Establishment of micro-finance networks- Rehabilitation of land for small holder farmers- Identification of other sources of economic growth

• Statistics:• Population below $1 a day (%): 1998 = 83.1% 2004 = 73.9%• Population below national poverty line, (%)1991 = 54.0% 1998 = 65.3%• Employment-to-population ratio, both sexes, 1991 = 71.6% 2007 = 71.8%• Children under 5 severely underweight, 1992 = 27.2% 2006 = 20.5%

• Future Challenges:• A shortage of agricultural goods• Illiteracy• Food storage• Lack of skills

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Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education by 2015, ensuring that children everywhere, boys and girls alike, are able to complete a full course of primary schooling

The 2008 Malawi Development Report (Challenges) • Malawi- Huge inequalities in access to education, most likely to not attend school are the poorer people,

those in rural areas and girls.• The report identified the following as challenges to achieving universal education:-Lack of qualified teachers-Poor School building infrastructure-Teaching standards not monitored-No provision for children with special needs-Absenteeism due to diet and health problems.-Children not continuing on to secondary school. The National Educational Sector Plan 2008 (Achievements) • Reducing the pupil teacher ratio to 1:60 by 2013/14.• Increasing the availability of textbooks.• The Primary Curriculum Assessment Review.• Increased School -50 a year, and Teacher House construction. • Grants specifically to increase the participation of girls in education.• Free Education

Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

• Achievements:• Awareness campaigns• Counselling and testing sites: 184 sites in 2005.• ATR drugs (Anti-Retroviral) clinics: 60 clinics in May 2005.• 19,000 people have now received ATR drugs as opposed to none in the year 2000.• HIV/AIDS Education.

• Statistics:• AIDS Deaths: 2001: 60,000 2007: 68,000• Men, 15-24 years old with comprehensive correct knowledge of HIV/AIDS (%)

2000 = 41% 2006 = 42%• Women, 2000 = 34% 2006 = 42%

• Challenges:• Negative social attitudes• Inadequate number of health personnel• Difficulty in administering ATR drugs.• Cultural beliefs

Conclusion:• MDG 1?• MDG monitor: MDG 1 = Off track• Malawi Growth and Development Strategy 2006 – 2011• A solution: Loans and credit systems?

• MDG 6?- HIV/AIDS- MDG monitor: MDG 6 = possible to achieve if some changes are made- Increase in awareness campaigns- Voluntary testing- Increase the number of clinics- A focus on Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) Services