Women's Hope for Change

Improving the health of single mothers with HIV and empowering them to provide for their families

In Malawi’s Mchinji District, young women aged 25–34 are twice as likely to be living with HIV as their male peers. The district also faces one of the highest poverty rates in the country, with 68.5% of the population living below the national poverty line—unable to consistently meet basic needs or provide enough food for their families.

Female-headed households are disproportionately affected, with single mothers bearing the dual burden of economic hardship and caring for children and extended family. For individuals living with HIV, food insecurity makes it even more difficult to adhere to essential antiretroviral treatment, putting their health and well-being at greater risk.

Egmont is supporting Women's Hope for Change to address these challenges in a project equipping mothers with the skills and resources needed to strengthen their livelihoods. This includes training in business management and financial literacy, as well as participation in savings and loan groups—empowering them to grow their small businesses and increase household income. To improve food security and create additional income-generating opportunities, mothers are also being trained in compost production, provided with drought-resistant crops, and enrolled in livestock pass-on schemes involving chickens and goats.