By Theresa Strutt
Nearing the end of my internship, I am realising just how connected I have become to my colleagues and Kwathu Ndi Kwanu as an organisation. My internship placement has definitely been the most fulfilling aspect of living abroad.
Kwathu Ndi Kwanu works to promote financial inclusion and empower survivors of gender-based violence and refugee women. The organisation aims to foster economic autonomy as a tool for empowerment and sustainable development. This is achieved through training in crafts-making, financial literacy, and establishing market linkages for women’s products. Enhancing gender-based violence prevention and responses is also a key component of Kwathu Ndi Kwanu’s work. This aims to increase awareness about gender-based violence and its impact on individuals and communities. In addition Kwathu Ndi Kwanu works to create a support system that emotionally and physically supports survivors is a key aspect of supporting survivors of gender-based violence. Kwathu Ndi Kwanu also engages in feminist movement building. This movement aims to advocate for enhanced sexual and reproductive health rights in Malawi. Much of this work involves engaging with other organisations, advocating for policy change, and providing education on SRHR.
Throughout my undergraduate degree I have taken gender studies courses and learned about the theoretical components of gender, feminist movement building, and contemporary gender rights issues. It has been fascinating to learn about how Kwathu Ndi Kwanu is engaging in feminist movement building in a unique context and encountering various socio-cultural and political barriers. In many ways my theoretical knowledge of gender studies has allowed me to engage more with the advocacy side of Kwathu Ndi Kwanu’s work instead of just focusing on the marketing and communications. This has allowed me not only to learn the gender rights issues that are specific to Malawi, but also engage in movement building that works to advocate for a change in policy and attitudes regarding SRHR.
During my placement, Kwathu Ndi Kwanu has granted me a significant level of independence in my role as a marketing and communications officer. Thanks to this, I have been able to take on some creative leadership in branding decisions, which has been exciting. I have been able to utilise my experience working within a nonprofit organisation in the past, along with my theoretical knowledge of gender rights issues, to conduct communications aimed at enhancing Kwathu Ndi Kwanu’s visibility. In addition to communications and marketing, I have also been working on resource mobilisation. I have been contacting embassies, non-profit organisations, the private sector, and government ministries to explore collaboration or secure additional sources of economic revenue. During my placement, I have also had the opportunity to conduct communications fieldwork in Dzaleka refugee camp.
The opportunity to work firsthand with a women-led and run organisation that advocates for survivors of gender-based violence will no doubt shape my future career choices and goals. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Kwathu Ndi Kwanu and to be so warmly welcomed into the team.