Improving Adolescent Health and Wellbeing in Malawi
We are working with adolescents, family and community members, health workers, policy makers, and other organizations to design, implement and evaluate approaches to improving adolescent health and wellbeing.
How we work
We are working with adolescents, parents and guardians and other interested parties to develop promising approaches to improve their health and wellbeing using a multi-sectoral approach. The following are our main work strands:
Capacity Strengthening and Training
Economic and Policy Frameworks
Formative Research and Longitudinal Observatory
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, and Adolescents
Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
Inspiring Adolescent Wellbeing
We are a joint research initiative of:
News and Events
Building a #PeriodFriendlyWorld: What the Adolescent Health and Wellbeing Study in Malawi Reveals About Menstrual Hygiene in Schools
As the world commemorates Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026, our study serves as a reminder that many girls are still managing menstruation under difficult conditions. A #PeriodFriendlyWorld can only become reality when every girl has access to safe spaces, clean water, menstrual products, accurate information and supportive communities. No girl should miss school, feel ashamed, or struggle to manage her period with dignity. On this Menstrual Hygiene Day, let us move beyond awareness and commit to meaningful action that supports adolescent girls’ health, education, and wellbeing. Together, we can create schools and communities where menstruation is no longer a barrier to opportunity and dignity.
Where Water Flows, Insights Grow: A Week in Glasgow
A week in Glasgow offered fresh insights and powerful reminders of why WASH matters for adolescents’ health and wellbeing. From World Water Day discussions to exchanges with researchers and practitioners, the visit strengthened our commitment to co‑creating practical WASH solutions with young people in Malawi. It was a week filled with learning, connection, and renewed purpose.
More Than Just Doors: Creating Safer and More Dignified School Toilets
As part of the ongoing learning and adaptation process, the research team introduced an additional improvement at Chimwankhunda Primary School: the installation of doors on the school toilets. This enhancement followed feedback from key stakeholders particularly school management and learners who raised concerns about unrestricted community access to the school sanitation facilities. Such access was found to affect both the effective implementation and the long-term sustainability of the TIPs activities. Importantly, learners also highlighted the need for improved privacy while using the toilets.