The Rights Institute for Social Empowerment (RISE) – one of the agencies in Malawi that received funding from the Stephen Lewis Foundation

RISE is a rights organization dedicated to advancing equality, promoting social justice and respecting the dignity of women and girls, including grandmothers, LGBTIQ people and those living with HIV and disabilities. Serving the Lilongwe and Dowa Districts of Malawi, RISE envisions a world in which community members are empowered and meaningfully involved in governance and decision-making and policy-making processes that affect their lives.
RISE programs are committed to the empowerment of women and girls as well as their communities. They build knowledge and capacity among individuals and groups to address the marginalization of community members, the impact of the HIV epidemic, social injustice and human rights violations.
RISE focuses on mental health and well-being supports including community childcare centres, children, youth and girls’ clubs, and support for grandmothers and young mothers. RISE provides nutritional support, income-generation opportunities, HIV care and services, and sexual and reproductive health and rights education. They also offer training in how to advocate for the promotion and protection of basic rights for women and girls.

Click on the link below to watch a short documentary showcasing the impact of RISE through interventions addressing gender-based violence. RISE states that gender inequality and cultural practices are the root causes of gender-based violence which increases the risk of HIV for women and girls. Since initiating programs RISE has seen a decrease in gender-based violence.

https://vimeo.com/982037574/66eb5bf01f

Anne Taylor, Barb Spear, Susan Plesuk