Mzuzu Disability Organization (MZUDO) is proud to announce the official launch of the second phase of its flagship project, "Inclusion of Women and Girls with Disabilities in Climate Change Actions and Policies", funded by the Disability Rights Fund (DRF).

The second phase — which began in July 2025 — builds on the significant gains made during Phase 1 and expands the project's geographic reach across all six districts in Northern Malawi: Mzuzu City, Mzimba, Nkhata Bay, Rumphi, Chitipa, and Karonga.

What Phase 2 Will Achieve

During this new phase, MZUDO will focus on four key pillars:

  • Platform Building: Establishing accessible platforms for organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) to meaningfully influence local and national climate change decision-making processes.
  • Disaster Risk Reduction: Engaging District Councils and the Department of Disaster Management Affairs to ensure OPDs are active participants in the review and implementation of district disaster response plans.
  • Climate Champions: Training women and girls with disabilities as community-level climate champions who will lead grassroots advocacy and behaviour change campaigns.
  • Policy Evidence: Producing disability-inclusive climate policy briefs to inform national and district-level planning.

Why This Matters

Women and girls with disabilities in Malawi face a double burden when it comes to climate change. They are among the most vulnerable to climate-related shocks yet are consistently excluded from the conversations and decisions that determine how communities prepare, respond, and recover.

"This project is proof that disability and climate justice are inseparable. When women with disabilities lead the response to climate change, entire communities benefit." — Joyce Sichali, Executive Director, MZUDO

Phase 1 of the project reached over 1,000 women and girls with disabilities across three districts and resulted in formal engagement with District Councils on disability-inclusive disaster preparedness. Phase 2 doubles the ambition.

For more information about this project or to partner with MZUDO, please contact us.