About Us
CARVE Africa is a women-led organization working alongside communities to improve menstrual health and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Malawi. We deliver clear, accurate, and culturally relevant information on menstrual health, contraception, HIV, and STIs—ensuring individuals, especially youth, are equipped to make informed decisions about their health.
Our programs are community-driven and rooted in partnership. We work hand-in-hand with government systems, schools, and local leaders to complement national efforts and strengthen service delivery. By training health workers and community facilitators, we build local capacity and create lasting change from the ground up. Whether through school-based outreach, peer-led sessions, or clinical partnerships, we prioritize dignity, evidence, and access in every initiative.
VISION
Through our work we aim to cultivate an enhanced MHH and SRHR knowledge base for a more informed and empowered decision-maker in Malawi.
Focus Areas
Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH)
Menstrual health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in relation to the menstrual cycle.
‘Terminology Action Group of the Global Menstrual Collective, 2021’
We are committed to create and disseminate MHH and SRHR education with the following characteristics:
Gender inclusive
Creating and involving community
Evidence Based
Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR)
CARVE Africa strengthens sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) through community-driven education and collaboration with local service providers. We focus on increasing access to high-quality information about contraception, HIV, and STIs. By engaging youth as active partners, we identify and address the social, structural, and informational barriers that prevent them from accessing the care they need.
Key Activities:
Partner with health facilities to ensure accurate, youth-friendly SRHR messaging.
Deliver evidence-based education on contraception, HIV, and STI prevention in schools and communities.
Train youth leaders to identify access gaps and co-create solutions.
Support health workers with upskilling and tools to provide non-judgmental, informed care.
Use participatory methods to elevate youth voices and inform local service improvements.
Why,
what’s the problem?
CHILD MARRIAGE
Each additional year a girl completes in secondary school reduces the likelihood of child marriage by 3.7 percentage points. Unfortunately, girls who leave school due to child marriage face limited earning opportunities and increased vulnerability to gender-based violence, with child marriage lowering women's expected earnings in adulthood by 1.4 to 15.6 percent, and ending child marriage could increase national earnings by 1.61 percent in Malawi (World Bank 2018).
With approximately 42 percent of girls married before the age of 18 and 9 percent below the age of 15, Malawi has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world (University of Zurich et al. 2018)
Health Behaviors
Men are often seen as the gatekeepers to health-seeking behaviors limiting a girl or woman’s access to Integrated SRHR service.
Poor ability to manage Menstrual Health and Hygiene often leads to school dropout, early pregnancy, and child marriage.
EDUCATION
Studies show that more years spent in school result in improved health outcomes for women—and their communities. In fact, each additional year a girl stays in school is associated with a 10 percent increase in wages, increased life expectancy, and reduced fertility.
Gender Disparity
“Around the world, menstrual health and hygiene needs are being overlooked due to limited access to information, education, products and services, as well as inadequate facilities and inequalities” -World Bank 2024
