UN Women amplified women’s role in the COVID-19 response highlighting the significant leadership roles women played in leading the response efforts in materials on COVID-19 prevention disseminated in local languages and hand washing facilities were constructed in 6 elementary schools. 528 returnee migrant women workers from the Middle East and domestic workers across Addis Ababa have been provided with basic sanitation and hygiene training and raising awareness on the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on women, girls, and vulnerable and marginalized groups.

The Abridged version of the Perceptions Study on Social Norms in Malawi serves as an executive summary of the baseline study for the EVAW thematic component of the Women’s Empowerment Programme (WEP) 2018-2021. This study revealed various perceptions of social norms around VAWG in Malawi. Particularly, it shows how pervasive social norms support gender inequality and VAWG, including harmful practices. The study focused on five districts – Dedza, Karonga, Mangochi, Mzimba and Salima – in Malawi. This study can be used to inform policy dialogue and programme development, including where and how UN Women and its partners can implement behaviour change projects aimed at promoting favourable social norms and attitudes at community levels, and to formulate key messages for communication initiatives on women’s rights, gender equality and VAWG.