Stakeholders in the Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance (CDRFI) have called for more inclusive policies to protect vulnerable groups, particularly women, persons with disabilities, and rural communities, from the devastating impacts of climate disasters.
Speaking at the end of a two-day Malawi Multi Actor Partnerships (MAPs) for CDRFI Training on Gender Transformative CDRFI Wednesday afternoon in Dowa, George Chiusiwa, Executive Director of the Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA), highlighted the urgent need for transformative approaches to financing mechanisms.
He emphasized that Malawi frequently experiences disasters, and insurance solutions should cater to the needs of all segments of the population.
“This meeting has been crucial in ensuring that disaster risk financing and insurance integrate vulnerable groups like women, persons with disabilities, and rural farmers. We must address their challenges effectively and ensure they benefit from financial protection mechanisms,” Chiusiwa stated.
In an interview, Marcel Chisi, National Chairperson of Men for Gender Equality Now, echoed similar concerns, emphasizing the gendered impact of climate disasters.
He noted that women and girls are disproportionately affected when disasters strike, yet financial support and insurance coverage often fail to consider their unique vulnerabilities.
“We need to ensure that disaster risk financing is gender-sensitive. Climate justice programs must be designed to include gender considerations so that women and girls do not continue facing the same vulnerabilities due to poor planning,” Chisi explained.
In his words, Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONECC) National Coordinator Julius Ng’oma stressed the importance of integrating gender into climate insurance initiatives.
According to Ng’oma, many stakeholders in the country, including civil society, academia, and the private sector, must collaborate to create targeted interventions that address the specific needs of women, youth, and children.
“We must ensure that everyone understands gender dynamics in disaster financing. Programs should be tailor-made to support communities that suffer the most, particularly women and youth,” Ng’oma said.
Chikondi Mkawa, an Advocacy Advisor at CARE Malawi, emphasized that gender-inclusive climate insurance is not just a social issue but also a sound economic strategy.
She pointed to the growing sector of crop insurance and risk pools, such as the Africa Risk Capacity (ARC), which help governments and communities cope with climate-related losses.
“Insurance products should benefit the intended recipients and provide a return on investment. More importantly, they should build resilience among people who depend on them for recovery from disasters,” Mkawa noted.
As climate-related disasters increase in frequency and severity, Malawi’s financial institutions, policymakers, and advocacy groups are being urged to strengthen disaster financing mechanisms.
Stakeholders agree that a multi-sectoral approach, inclusive policies, and gender-transformative solutions are necessary to build resilience and protect the country’s most vulnerable populations.
Organised by CISONECC with funding from the Government of Germany through CARE Germany and CARE Malawi, the training aimed to promote equitable, inclusive, and gender-responsive disaster risk financing solutions, ensuring that support reaches Malawi’s most vulnerable communities.
