WHO WE ARE
Passion for Women and Children (PAWOC) is a Malawian non-profit organization established in 2011 and committed to improving the social and economic well-being of vulnerable communities through sustainable development interventions.
Registered with the Registrar of Companies in Malawi and the Council for Non-Governmental Organisations in Malawi (CONGOMA), PAWOC works with communities, government institutions, development partners and other stakeholders to address socioeconomic inequalities and promote inclusive community development.
VISION
A prosperous, inclusive and resilient society where women, young people and children have equal opportunities to achieve their full potential through sustainable livelihoods, entrepreneurship and quality education.
MISSION
To empower communities, particularly women and young people, through sustainable agricultural development, entrepreneurship and technology-assisted education while promoting social inclusion, environmental sustainability and equal opportunities for all.
PURPOSE
PAWOC exists to mobilize communities, strengthen local capacities and collaborate with development stakeholders in promoting sustainable socioeconomic transformation. The organization seeks to address the root causes of poverty, inequality and vulnerability by supporting communities to develop sustainable livelihood opportunities, adopt environmentally responsible practices and access quality educational opportunities.
OUR IMPACT
Stories of advocacy, learning, and collective action advancing the rights of women, young people and children.
Women Economic Empowerment
· Linked 180 women involved in informal cross-border trade with financial institutions to improve access to loans.
· Facilitated the formation of six Village Savings and Loan clubs.
· Provided refresher training to four existing savings clubs on saving, investment and responsible spending.
· Identified 75 Village Savings and Loan clubs and trained them in savings methodologies and livelihood development.
· Linked 150 survivors of gender-based violence to savings clubs to support their economic independence.
Education and Girls’ Empowerment
· Reached 1,400 adolescent girls in 20 primary schools in Dowa and Ntchisi with menstrual hygiene management interventions.
· Provided practical skills in reusable sanitary pad production.
· Promoted menstrual hygiene awareness and improved school retention for adolescent girls.
Community Health and Nutrition
· Worked with over 180 young people and their households in Dowa on nutrition and HIV/AIDS awareness.
· Promoted household food preparation skills and backyard gardening.
· Facilitated community capacity building and support group activities.
Human Rights and Community Protection
· Worked with women’s groups to identify, report and document gender-based violence and other human rights violations.
· Supported the development of community networks for identifying and reporting abuse
· Promoted economic empowerment as an approach to reducing women’s vulnerability.