Eliza Chanika is a dedicated Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist whose work advances Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). With over five years of experience in Malawi, she has designed and implemented inclusive, community-driven programs that have directly reached over 5,000 individuals across rural and peri-urban communities.

A strong advocate for girls’ education, Eliza has led targeted awareness and advocacy initiatives addressing barriers such as early marriage, school dropout, and gender-based violence. She has facilitated community dialogues and school-based campaigns that have reached over 2,000 learners, parents, and community leaders, promoting the importance of keeping girls in school. In addition, she has designed and implemented mentorship programs for primary, secondary, and university students, directly supporting over 300 girls and young women with guidance on academic progression, career pathways, leadership, and self-confidence.

Through her role with the Malawi Electricity Access Project (MEAP) at ESCOM, she has integrated safeguarding, GBV prevention, and inclusive participation into development programming, delivering over 50 trainings that strengthened community protection systems. Her earlier work with CorpsAfrica and other organizations included mobilizing resources for the renovation of a Community-Based Childcare Centre (CBCC), improving early learning conditions for over 120 children.

Despite challenges such as limited resources, cultural norms, and low awareness of girls’ rights, Eliza has applied participatory approaches to foster community ownership and behavior change. Her work continues to drive lasting impact by advancing inclusive education, empowering girls, and strengthening community support systems.