Gender is not a stand alone programme within AYISE. It is one of the programmes that is mainstreamed across all other programmes. As such, AYISE addresses the gender dimensions of HIV and AIDS, the gender dimensions of environment and natural resources management, the gender dimensions of children protection and gender dimensions of governance.

However it is important to mention some of the gender-based programmes in which AYISE has taken a pivotal role.

Campaign on Gender-Based Violence (GBV):

In the past four years, AYISE has been part of the nationwide campaign aimed at stopping gender-based violence through the sixteen days of activism, between 25th November and 10th December every year.

Campaign on Prevention of Domestic Violence:

AYISE is a member of the NGO Gender Network and is a member of the Thermatic Committee of Gender-Related Laws.

One of the challenges that AYISE has confronted was the enactment of the Prevention of Domestic Violence legislation. AYISE was a member of the Special Lobby Committee at Parliament that lobbied legislators to consider the then Prevention of Domestic Violence Bill. The success of this intervention was that the said bill became law.
In the same vein AYISE was confronted with the need to lobby for implementation of the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act. As a member of the Thermatic Committee of Gender-Related Laws, AYISE carried out nationwide sensitisation campaigns on the law and has since sensitised and trained magistrates and police officers on the law with the view of lessening difficulties when applying the law in the magistrate courts, and enforcing the law through the Police Service.

Men for Gender Equality Movement:

AYISE makes up part of the leadership of the Men for Gender Equality Movement in Malawi. The idea is to demystify men’s masculinity which has often been used as a tool for oppression and increasing imbalances between men and women in society. The Movement, which is co-ordinated by the Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre, has already recruited men in many districts of Malawi who share the ideals of an equal and equitable society. There is however, need to enlist more men for participation in the Movement’s programmes.
Some of the special programmes that the Movement is considering to design include:

1. Men and Masculinity
2. Men’s Role in Home-Based Care
3. Men’s Role in Childcare
4. Men’s Role in Family Planning
5. Men’s Role in Gender-Based Violence

Gender Training and Education:

AYISE has a team of young people who have since become trainers of trainers in Gender and Development. One notable area is that of gender disparities within youth organisations. Almost all the current youth organisations are headed by young men and almost all of the management consists of young men. AYISE believes very strongly in training the youth in Gender and Development because we believe that if we train youth in Gender now, they will adopt attitudes, behaviours and practices that think positively of the girl child and the role of women in society.