In 2023, Cyclone Freddy inflicted great devastation in Malawi, displacing over 500,000 people and destroying shelters and livelihoods. It was one of the strongest and longest-lasting tropical cyclones on record. Humanitarian actors quickly responded by setting up camps and providing basic needs. However, the distribution of aid revealed a critical flaw: the support offered to those affected by the cyclone heavily discriminated against structurally excluded women and girls, including those with disabilities and sex workers, and in some cases left them vulnerable to abuse.
Women and girls, especially those with disabilities, faced extreme sexual exploitation and abuse by law enforcement officers and host communities in exchange for aid. Female sex workers encountered heightened attacks due to the weaponisation of vagrancy laws. All this underscored the urgent need for a targeted and inclusive response.
In Mulanje district, Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) acted swiftly to address the crisis. They engaged with women to better understand their needs and map out a response guided by them. Two organisations spearheaded this initiative: Extra Mile Development Foundation, which focused on rural women and girls, including Women With Disabilities (WWDs), and Liwonde Female Sex Workers’ Alliance, which engaged with Female Sex Workers (FSWs).
Both organisations created spaces for dialogue allowing for an open and honest discussion on handling the impact of the cyclone. They engaged societal actors, including camp leaders, religious and traditional authorities, and the police, highlighting the deep-rooted causes of the challenges faced by structurally excluded women. They demanded changes in the administration of humanitarian aid to include specific considerations for vulnerable groups.
Camp leaders established reporting mechanisms for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), ensuring inclusive support services for victims, particularly WWDs and FSWs. Community members and district officials transformed their approach toward SGBV, committing to support the justice system in holding perpetrators accountable and creating safe spaces for survivors. They reminded law enforcement officers that sex work is legal in Malawi and emphasised the need to protect the rights of FSWs.
The initiatives led by the Extra Mile Development Foundation and Liwonde Female Sex Workers’ Alliance highlighted the fact that the needs of structurally excluded women extend beyond basic necessities like food, water and shelter. The initiatives, which were supported by CMI! through Urgent Action Fund-Africa (UAF-A), also showed that building stronger connections within the broader feminist movement helps create a more unified and coordinated approach, making sure that different perspectives are considered in crisis responses.
This is one of the seven stories we have published as CMI! Stories of Change 2023 under the #FundWhatWorks campaign. The stories portray how activists and organisations worldwide are working to advance human rights and gender justice.
