Malawi
Africa
Scottish Government funded Malawi Police service to tackle gender-based violence, while improving child protection and training to senior investigating officers who manage responses to these issues. The project’s outcome focused its approach on victims, examining their journey and improving touchpoints where they engage in the Criminal Justice sector. This capacity building programme builds upon work that Police Scotland started in 2015.
The work also resonates with the aims of the UN Global Goals, with the global north and south working in partnership to achieve - in this instance - Global Goal: 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; and Goal 16; Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Approach
This programme is focussed on improving the lives of the most vulnerable in society in Malawi. Developed over years, our strong relationships with the Malawi Police Service has improved operational delivery to victims of gender based violence, children and the vulnerable, such as those with albinism. Our initiatives have been wide ranging and developed an outcome focussed approach for victims by examining their criminal justice journey and improving touchpoints, a few examples of our work streams are detailed below.
Further Information
A Global Citizen Challenge was designed to remove barriers and build positive relationships with the police and young people, we empowered youths in Scotland and Malawi to become global citizens and by doing so, supported the sustainable development goals.
Activities
Train the trainer courses have maximised the impact of bespoke victim focussed modules, such as first responder and crime investigation training. Innovative prevention approaches have enhanced relationships between the police and vulnerable children and groups, these are the cornerstones of our sustainable partnerships.
Specialist crime training for senior investigating officers managing complex gender based violence and child protection matters have provided the opportunity to professionalise a nationwide cadre of officers and improved responses to serious crimes.
We delivered a successful six month national multi media campaign designed to reach even the most rural communities in Malawi, with the key message being ‘protecting children is everyone’s responsibility’.
We led on an innovative cross sector partnership. A multi-disciplined team focussed on connecting all police stations in Malawi with an ICT platform. For the first time moving away from pen and paper. In close collaboration with the police service, we sourced, imported and installed hardware, connecting almost 40 front facing police stations, hosting a Malawian developed crime recording system that transformed capacity and service delivery in tackling crimes against vulnerable people.
Mentoring support to senior officers at station level, innovatively streamlining criminal justice processes as we worked side by side, day to day with colleagues at service delivery level for the first time.