[{"bbox": [157, 151, 1075, 312], "category": "Text", "text": "The Action contributes to priority area 2 of the Multiannual Indicative Programme, namely \"Democratic and economic governance\", and to specific objective 1, which is to advance democracy, human rights and the rule of law to address challenges related to human rights violations, gender inequality and gender-based violence, violence against children and limited access to justice for the marginalised groups. The Action contributes to expected result 2.1.3 which looks at enhancing the provision of fair justice, including access to legal assistance."}, {"bbox": [157, 335, 1075, 440], "category": "Text", "text": "This Action is aligned to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as it contributes primarily to the progressive achievement of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced inequalities). It will also contribute to the EU Gender Action Plan III."}, {"bbox": [157, 496, 389, 528], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2. RATIONALE"}, {"bbox": [157, 575, 296, 603], "category": "Section-header", "text": "### 2.1. Context"}, {"bbox": [157, 617, 1075, 726], "category": "Text", "text": "Malawi ranks 174th out of 189 countries on the 2020 Human Development Index³. It is one of the most densely populated countries on the continent with a total population of 19.6 million⁴ of which 16% live in urban areas and 83% in rural areas⁵, and over 50% is younger than 18⁶. With the population expected to double by 2038⁷, population growth rate is one of the highest in the region⁸."}, {"bbox": [157, 735, 1075, 844], "category": "Text", "text": "Despite advances in gender equality over the last decade, Malawi still ranks 142nd out of 162⁹ countries on the 2020 Gender Inequality Index (GII), reflecting high levels of inequality in women's empowerment and economic activity with government acknowledging a failure to meet Millennium Development Goals 1, 2, 3 and 5, all of which have a gender component."}, {"bbox": [157, 855, 1075, 1042], "category": "Text", "text": "Malawi's development has stagnated for the past 20 years, with only minimal and precarious improvements in health and education indicators but going backwards on poverty and growth. The High Court annulled the 2019 presidential elections due to a high number of irregularities, and the re-run in June 2020 saw the opposition take over. The new administration has so far shown higher commitment to the rule of law and human rights, and its drive on anti-corruption is reflected in the increased budget allocations for the governance institutions, increased women participation in governance and increased awareness of human rights and governance issues."}, {"bbox": [157, 1053, 1075, 1187], "category": "Text", "text": "Government has also championed a transformative development plan, Malawi 2063, which aims to see Malawi move towards an inclusive and self-reliant nation. The Agenda promises to promote rapid structural transformation, economic growth and governance, sustained and inclusive development, economic independence, social justice and the rule of law. It envisions an effective and efficient governance system and institutions with strict adherence to the rule of law."}, {"bbox": [157, 1198, 1075, 1333], "category": "Text", "text": "The Democratic Governance Sector (DGS) remains however very broad and diverse with 19 institutions and lacking an up-to-date strategy. Review of the sector has recommended that the sector be split to allow a limited number of institutions working together to achieve a single common goal i.e. justice institutions in a justice sector. The DGS Strategy expired in 2017 and a new strategy is still under development, though it is clear that access to justice will remain one of its main priorities."}, {"bbox": [146, 1445, 695, 1470], "category": "Footnote", "text": "³ http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/Country-Profiles/MWI.pdf"}, {"bbox": [146, 1470, 646, 1494], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁴ United Nations World Population Prospects database 2021"}, {"bbox": [146, 1494, 398, 1517], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁵ World Bank Databank, 2021"}, {"bbox": [146, 1517, 568, 1542], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁶ UN World Population Prospects (2019 Revision)"}, {"bbox": [146, 1541, 634, 1565], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁷ https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/malawi/overview"}, {"bbox": [146, 1565, 697, 1590], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁸ https://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/malawi-population"}, {"bbox": [146, 1590, 644, 1615], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁹ http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/gender-inequality-index-gii"}, {"bbox": [976, 1663, 1082, 1688], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 4 of 23"}]