Malawi to launch CTS Nexus Tool

Lilongwe, March 24, Mana: Deputy Director of Gender Mainstreaming in the Ministry of Gender, Ronald Phiri, has announced that the ministry is taking significant steps to address some of the most pressing social challenges being faced by young girls and women.

He made the statement on Monday during a press briefing organized by the ministry in collaboration with the National Planning Commission (NPC) and IPAS, ahead of the launch of the Contraception, Teen Pregnancy, and School Dropout (CTS) Nexus tool scheduled for March 27 in Lilongwe.

Phiri highlighted that by partnering with key stakeholders including IPAS and various government ministries, the Ministry aims to launch a strategic tool designed to combat child marriage, teen pregnancy, and reproductive health issues.

“At the heart of this initiative is a commitment to integrated coordination, ensuring that different sectors like health, education, and social welfare should work together to protect and empower vulnerable groups,” said Phiri.

He stated that the tool aligns with Malawi’s national framework for 2024–2030 and recognizes that when girls drop out of school due to pregnancy or forced marriage, the country loses valuable human capital essential for development.

“The consequences are severe: increased risks of fistula, cervical cancer, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and economic hardships, all of which burden an already stretched national budget,” he added.

Phiri said that by leveraging resources, skills, and expertise across various sectors, this initiative aims to improve educational outcomes, reproductive health indicators, and overall youth development.

“The goal is clear, to create a healthier, more educated generation of young women who can contribute meaningfully to Malawi’s progress,” he stated.

He indicated through this tool, Malawi is taking another step toward breaking cycles of poverty and vulnerability, ensuring that young girls are not only protected but empowered to shape their own futures.

Christopher Kandionamaso, Health Assistance Advisor for IPAS in the Southern Africa region and the focal point for child marriages, teenage pregnancies, and school dropouts in Malawi, stressed that the CTS Nexus is an integrated tool designed to address the challenges faced by Malawian girls, particularly regarding child marriages, teenage pregnancies, and school dropouts, which significantly hinder their socioeconomic development.

He said that as a key stakeholder, IPAS is working closely with the National Planning Commission and various government ministries to ensure effective coordination, implementation, and monitoring of services aligned with the CTS Nexus, aimed at improving the well-being of young girls in Malawi.

In his remarks, NPC Research Manager Dr Andrew Jamali explained that the CTS Nexus Intervention is an integrated approach designed to confront some of the most critical challenges faced by Malawi’s youth.

He stressed that this initiative is essential for realizing Malawi 2063, as it directly addresses issues that could impede the country’s long-term development.

“Malawi 2063 is a youth-driven vision, its success depends on young people being empowered, educated, and healthy. However, high rates of teen pregnancies, limited access to contraception, and school dropouts pose significant barriers. If these challenges persist, the country risks failing to achieve its development goals,” he said.