On March 26th and 27th, 2024, Deaf youth and women from the Malawi National Association of the Deaf (MANAD) participated in a training on Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH) and understanding the MANAD Safeguarding Policy. The training, held in Mponela, Dowa District, was made possible with funding from the Finnish Association of the Deaf (FAD).
The training brought together 20 participants from Lilongwe, Mchinji, Dedza, Salima, Mzimba, Dowa, and Nkhotakota. This diverse representation enabled knowledge-sharing across regions and strengthened the participants’ ability to apply the concepts learned in their respective districts.
The training covered a range of topics, including:
Youth and Reproductive Health
Savings and Loan Group (SLG)
Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH)
Understanding the MANAD Safeguarding Policy
A notable highlight was the Savings and Loan Group (SLG) session, which was facilitated by Tamandani Baira, a MANAD member from Nkhotakota. Baira, a graduate in Disability and Gender Inclusion from the University of Malawi and an intern at the Nkhotakota District Commissioner’s Office, expressed her gratitude to MANAD for the opportunity to contribute. “I am thankful to MANAD for giving me a chance to perform. This has shaped my future in the deaf community,” she said.
Other external facilitators included a health officer from Mponela Rural Hospital and a human resources manager from Save the Children International. Their contributions enriched the training by providing professional insights into health and safeguarding practices.
The training demonstrated the positive impact of the ongoing capacity-building initiatives provided by Save the Children to MANAD. By empowering its members to become trainers, MANAD is fostering sustainability and self-reliance within the Deaf community.
Participants expressed their appreciation for the training. Khumbo Mpekesambo from Dedza remarked, “I have benefited a lot from the training and am ready to share with my colleagues at my home branch.”
Looking ahead, Malonje Phiri, MANAD’s Program Officer, indicated that 10 additional districts will receive similar training in 2026. Additionally, MANAD plans to capacitate its own members to serve as facilitators for future workshops, ensuring the continued dissemination of knowledge and skills throughout the Deaf community.
