LocationsTransforming Justice Through Technology: Malawi’s Leadership Spotlight at CSW70
March 17, 2026
A panel discussion underway during the event.
Malawi’s leadership in digital justice innovation took centre stage during a virtual side event at the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), where government officials, UNDP experts, judicial leaders and development partners highlighted how technology is reshaping access to justice for women, girls, boys, and persons with disabilities.
Co-convened by UNDP Malawi and the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, the event showcased two flagship initiatives: the award winning Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Digital Observatory Hub and Malawi’s expanding e-Courts system, two digital tools that are improving case reporting, accelerating justice delivery and strengthening institutional coordination.
Ms Evelyne Bamba, UNDP Chief, Country Oversight and Support.
Speaking on behalf of the UN Assistant Secretary General and UNDP’s Africa Regional Director, Chief, Country Oversight and Support Team, Evelyne Bamba, commended Malawi’s commitment to inclusive justice reform.
She emphasised that while laws and policies are essential, “justice becomes real only when institutions are accessible, responsive, and trusted.”
Honourable Mary Thom Navicha, Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare.
Hon. Mary Thom Navicha, Malawi’s Minister of Gender, described the country’s digital transition as a strategic response to persistent justice barriers, including long distances to courts, intimidation of survivors, delays in case handling, and inadequate child‑friendly spaces.
She noted that survivors increasingly turn to the Ministry directly for help, highlighting both trust and systemic gaps.
The Minister emphasised that technological innovation must be accompanied by strong institutional capacity for the justice system to function effectively.
“Technology alone is not the solution, it is an enabler, a bridge, and a powerful catalyst for change when combined with strong institutions and community-level support,” she said.
Data-driven solutions transforming the justice landscape
Launched in 2021, with support from the European Union (EU), UNDP, and scaled up in 2024 through Iceland, Norway government support, the SGBV Digital Observatory Hub now operates in 11 districts and has recorded more than 17,000 cases of gender‑based violence. Over 80% of survivors are women and girls. The platform provides real-time data from community structures, police, social workers, and the judiciary helping authorities track trends, strengthen referrals and inform policy.
The e-Courts system, introduced during the COVID‑19 pandemic, has significantly reduced travel and costs for survivors, enabled remote testimony, and increased case clearance rates. Judicial officers reported that up to 88% of digital cases in some districts were concluded efficiently.
Regional collaboration and global lessons
Panelists from Kenya and UNDP AI for Development Hub underscored the importance of coordinated justice chains, ethical technology use, data protection, and survivor-centred design. They also praised Malawi for advancing homegrown solutions that other countries can learn from.
They observed that while technology can open doors, it is survivor‑centred and human‑responsive systems that make digital tools truly effective in delivering meaningful justice for women, girls, and other vulnerable groups.
A call to scale up digital justice
Closing the event, Minister Navicha reaffirmed Malawi’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with the judiciary, police and development agencies: “We must work together to break down barriers and make justice a reality for all,” she said.
UNDP pledged continued support to help Malawi expand and institutionalise digital justice systems in line with global human rights commitments and CSW70’s priority theme on gender equality and access to justice.