UNDP Malawi

UNDP Malawi run a democratic governance programme which has focused on focused on three operational programme components

1) Participatory democracy;
2) Local governance; and
3)  Development management and access to justice.

Their access to justice programme focused on improving formal and informal justice systems strengthened through a unified program - based approach to justice. Their access to justice project sheet is viewable here

The major achievements made by the end of 2010 are summarised as follows on their website: 

With UNDP support through a Trust Fund amounting to US$ 21 million, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) was able to computerize the voters roll and register 94 percent of eligible voters for the 2009 national election. 74 percent of registered voters turned out on the polling day compared to 59 percent in 2004. Following such success, UNDP also developed a new programme to assist MEC to conduct the Local Government Election to be conducted in April 2011.

UNDP continues to support the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) to ensure that human rights are protected and promoted through sensitization on human rights and their responsibilities to influential local leaders like chiefs, village headmen and other community leaders. In 2010, a total of 52 cases from various districts in the country on allegations of violations of rights were investigated with 26 cases litigated. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) was conducted to identify the appropriate remedies on the major human right issues.

UNDP also supported the Malawi Parliament to formulate a Code of Conduct for Parliamentarians. The Code of Conduct is instrumental in facilitating the good conduct and behavior of parliamentarians.

On access to justice, UNDP has helped in strengthening the coordination mechanisms in the justice system. The justice coordination consultations and meetings have been placed within the Malawian context of institutionalizing Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) and Sector Working Groups in the area of governance.