Chilungamo: Justice and Accountability Programme in Malawi

The overall objective is to contribute to a dignified life through accountable government, informed democratic choice, and humane and effective delivery of justice. The Chilungamo Programme addresses two core governance challenges in Malawi: lack of transparency and accountability among duty bearers, and limited access to justice for vulnerable groups. EPM provides technical assistance and capacity building across seven beneficiary institutions.

Components

• Support to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs
• Support to the Judiciary
• Support to the Police Service
• Support to the Prison Service
• Support to the Malawi Human Rights Commission
• Support to the Legal Aid Bureau
• Support to the Office of the Ombudsman

Activities

• Support to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions and establishment of a Forfeiture Unit and Administrator General’s Department, plus the Human Rights Unit
• Establishment of a Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee, training of magistrates, mobile courts, and support to local courts
• Review of police prosecutor training and refresher training on crimes against women and children (101 investigators, prosecutors and magistrates trained)
• Functional review of prisons, training of prison officers, and release of 1,235 inmates through camp courts
• Support to the Legal Aid Bureau in handling 782 cases, and the Office of the Ombudsman in handling 549 maladministration cases