Malawi faces significant challenges in the fight against HIV/AIDS, especially among women and children. In 2020 alone, 2,300 children were newly infected with HIV, and 25% of children living with HIV are unaware of their status. Women also face greater barriers to accessing healthcare, which exacerbates the impact of HIV/AIDS and other sexual and reproductive health issues. Life Concern is committed to addressing these challenges by increasing access to sexual reproductive health services and enhancing HIV/AIDS prevention efforts, particularly in underserved communities.

LICO’s interventions focus on high-risk groups, including adolescent girls, young people, women of reproductive age, female sex workers, and people living with HIV. One of the organisation’s flagship efforts is the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (EMTCT) of HIV. Through male involvement initiatives and health awareness campaigns in the impact communities, LICO has reached married couples, adolescents, and HIV-exposed infants, providing crucial HIV testing, treatment, and prevention services.

To strengthen community-level engagement, LICO establishes study circle groups that serve as HIV information hubs, encouraging male participation in health services and reducing home deliveries. Community outreach clinics are also organized to offer a variety of services, including HIV testing and treatment, STI screening, cervical cancer screening, and access to modern contraceptives.

LICO also revitalizes youth-friendly spaces in health facilities, ensuring young people can conveniently access comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services. In addition, peer leadership programs train girls and female sex workers to act as community gatekeepers, disseminating vital information on HIV/AIDS and sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR).

Furthermore, LICO supports adolescent girls through menstrual health education and the distribution of reusable sanitary pads, addressing both their reproductive health and menstrual hygiene needs.