Breaking Barriers: GRÓ GEST Alumna Madalitso Juwayeyi's Mission to Empower Young Women and Combat HIV
Madalitso Juwayeyi (GRÓ GEST 2023 alumna from Malawi) is a dedicated advocate for youth, adolescent girls, and young women’s development. She has particularly focused her work on advancing access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), gender equality, HIV prevention, and girl’s education. She says her participation in the GRÓ GEST programme provided her with the tools and knowledge to take her advocacy work to new heights.
Madalitso is a co-founder and Programs Manager of the Forum for AIDS Counseling and Training (FACT-Malawi). She has led impactful initiatives in ending violence and inequality against women and girls by combating child marriages, investigating cases of abuse in communities, and advocating for girls’ education. She has also worked tirelessly to increase access to SRHR to reduce unintended pregnancies and increase HIV prevention services and information. Her work has earned her numerous recognitions, including the Africa4Her Champion title and the 50 African Women in Development Award. She has also showcased her work on international platforms, such as the 2024 International Workshop for Women and HIV in Washington, D.C.
„Sugar daddies“ Contribute to High Rates of HIV Among Young Women
During her time at the GRÓ GEST Programme in Iceland, Madalitso focused her project on scaling up HIV prevention among university Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) involved in transactional sexual relationships with older men, locally known as "blessers" or "sugar daddies." This subject was of great interest to her due to the alarming rates of HIV prevalence among AGYW, particularly in university settings.
„As someone working at the intersection of gender and health equity, I was driven to investigate why AGYW are twice as likely to contract HIV compared to their male counterparts. My findings, which aligned with UNAIDS data, revealed that age-disparate transactional relationships significantly contribute to the high rates of HIV among AGYW; not only in Malawi but also across Sub-Saharan Africa. These relationships often involve power imbalances, which limit young women’s ability to negotiate safe sex and increase their vulnerability to HIV.
This topic holds critical importance for Malawi. According to the National AIDS Commission (NAC), AGYW in universities are disproportionately at risk due to "blesser" relationships that has become very common due to Malawi universities housing situation. Addressing this issue is essential to reducing HIV prevalence and empowering AGYW to lead healthier, more equitable lives.“
Feminism Challenges Unfair Systems That Create Inequality
Madalitso says her application to the GRÓ GEST Programme was inspired by her passion for gender and health equity advocacy and desire to strengthen her capacity to implement evidence-based solutions. Learning about the GRÓ-GEST Programme and its reputation for empowering changemakers motivated her to apply.
„ The GRÓ GEST training has significantly contributed to my career and the projects I lead in Malawi, particularly in youth development. The programme enhanced my analytical and critical thinking skills, equipping me with tools to address gender disparities more effectively. I learned about the intersectionality of gender equality. How factors like geographic location, age, gender, race and class affect people differently. This understanding has transformed my approach to managing initiatives at FACT-Malawi.
One powerful example is how I now guide youth to understand feminism. Many in Malawi see feminism as fighting against men, but I help them see that it’s about challenging unfair systems that create inequality. This has been essential in our discussions about issues like teen pregnancies. I encourage youth to recognize that every teen pregnancy is different. For example, a teen pregnancy in a rural area comes with challenges that differ from one in an urban setting, and each must be addressed in ways that fit its context.
The programme also opened my eyes to the undervaluation of unpaid care work. Witnessing Icelandic women advocating for its recognition inspired me to reflect on similar issues in Malawi. This has led me to incorporate discussions about unpaid care work into my projects and advocacy, raising awareness about its role in reinforcing inequality.
These lessons have made my work more impactful by helping young people think critically about gender equality and apply these ideas in their own communities. The GEST programme has truly shaped how I approach development work and how I empower others to challenge inequality,“ says Madalitso.
She says that before attending the GRÓ GEST Programme she refused to be called a feminist. „I would always say that I am a gender equality advocate because I viewed feminism through negative lens. However, after participating in the GEST program, I am proud to call myself a feminist. I no longer feel shy or the need to hide that. I am a proud Black feminist, and I believe that we should all be feminists. For the world to be a better place, we need feminism. It has already shown us what it can achieve, and it stands to achieve even more if we all proudly advance the agenda,“ she adds.
The GRÓ GEST Programme: A Transformative Experience
Madalitso says that participating in the 5 month GRÓ GEST training was a transformative experience. „The programme provided a unique opportunity to explore gender equality
and its intersections with social, economic, and cultural factors. The training environment was both challenging and supportive, encouraging me to think critically and engage in meaningful discussions with peers from diverse backgrounds.
One of the most memorable aspects of the programme was learning from Iceland’s progressive approach to gender equality. Visiting key institutions, such as the Parliament and the State House, and seeing how policies are implemented gave me practical insights that I could apply in my work back home.
The GEST programme also opened other international doors for me. It strengthened my profile and contributed to my selection for opportunities like the Mandela Washington Fellowship in the US, and the AVAC Advocacy Navigator Program. My project at GEST, which focused on scaling up HIV prevention among university-based adolescent girls and young women, inspired further work on advocating for PrEP uptake in universities in Malawi through the AVAC Navigator program. These experiences have allowed me to build on what I learned during the programme and expand my impact on a global scale.
Overall, the GRÓ GEST training equipped me with invaluable knowledge and skills that continue to shape my work in advancing gender equality and empowering youth in Malawi. It also strengthened my confidence as a leader and advocate for social change,“ says Madalitso.
Eye-Opening to See a Society Where Inclusivity Is Embraced and Normalised
Madalitso says one of her most vivid memories from Iceland was visiting Parliament and witnessing firsthand how gender policies are deeply integrated into governance. „This experience was inspiring and showed me the impact of proactive gender equality measures. Another significant professional moment was visiting shelters for abused women, where I saw how Iceland supports survivors of gender-based violence, a model I hope to replicate in my country, Malawi.
On a personal level, the experience of being in Iceland was transformative. It was my first time outside of Africa, and I was amazed by the stark contrast in weather, especially seeing snow for the first time and the breathtaking glaciers and northern lights. These were sights I had only read about before but could never have imagined so vividly.
Living in an interracial space was another highlight. I shared a kitchen with people from different countries and races, which created opportunities for rich conversations about our diverse cultures and perspectives. Even in class, the diversity of the group made it a unique learning space, as we shared experiences and ideas from our different backgrounds.
I was also deeply inspired by the high representation of women in leadership positions in Iceland and the celebration of different gender identities and sexualities. It was eye-opening to see a society where inclusivity is embraced and normalized.
These experiences, both social and professional, left a lasting impression on me. They broadened my worldview, challenged me to think differently, and enriched my understanding of gender equality and cultural diversity.“
Madalitso has maintained strong connections with other fellows from the 2023 GRÓ GEST cohort. „We have a group were we interact with one another frequently, sharing updates and opportunities. I also work and collaborate with other fellows from my group, like Winnie Ikilai from Uganda. We both work in the gender and health sector, so we tend to collaborate and talk more regularly. Additionally, I am also in touch with fellows from 2024 group, like Tawonga Msowoya from Malawi. We share a strong passion for feminism and its advancement in Malawi and beyond, and we are working together on initiatives to support this cause.“
She has various recommendations for current GRÓ GEST fellows, that many can certainly be applicable for GRÓ fellows from the other training programmes.
1. The GRÓ GEST program is incredibly valuable—use your time in Iceland to advance your career beyond the classrooms.
2. The instructors for the programme come from various parts of the world and sectors, so stay in touch with them. They form a great network to maintain.
3. Make friends with people outside of the GEST program, your country, or your continent.
4. Don’t just take from your friends; ensure you are also a resource they can rely on.
5. If I were to go back, I would network more—so, network, network, network!
6. Lastly, have fun and make the most of your time!