About the Migration Governance Indicators
About the Migration Governance Indicators
Migrants' rights
Migrants' rights

Indicators in this domain assess the extent to which migrants have the same status as citizens in terms of access to basic social services such as health, education, and social security. It also describes the rights of migrants to family reunification, to work, and to residency and citizenship. The ratification of the main international conventions is also included within this domain.

Indicators in this category look at the extent to which migrants have access to certain social services such as health, education and social security. They also examine measures to ensure integration and access to work.

Whole of government approach
Whole of government approach

Indicators in this domain assess countries’ institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks related to migration policies. Domain 2 also reviews the existence of national migration strategies that are in-line with development, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in relation to migration management. This domain also investigates the extent to which governments collect and use migration data.

Indicators in this category assess the institutional frameworks of cities for migration. This area also examines the existence of migration strategies consistent with development objectives, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in migration management.

Partnerships
Partnerships

This domain focuses on countries’ efforts to cooperate on migration-related issues with other states and with relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector. Cooperation can lead to improvements in governance by aligning and raising standards, increasing dialogue and providing structures to overcome challenges.

Indicators in this category focus on cities’ efforts to cooperate on migration issues with the national government as well as other cities and relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector.

Well-being of migrants
Well-being of migrants

This domain includes indicators on countries’ policies for managing the socioeconomic well-being of migrants, through aspects such as the recognition of migrants’ educational and professional qualifications, provisions regulating student migration and the existence of bilateral labour agreements between countries. Indicators equally focus on policies and strategies related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances.

Indicators in this category assess cities’ initiatives in terms of international student mobility, access to the labour market and decent working conditions for migrant workers. Aspects related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances are also included in this domain.

Mobility dimensions of crises
Mobility dimensions of crises

This domain studies the type and level of preparedness of countries when they are faced with mobility dimensions of crises, linked to either disasters, the environment and/or conflict. The questions are used to identify the processes in place for nationals and non-nationals both during and after disasters, including whether humanitarian assistance is equally available to migrants as it is to citizens.

Indicators in this category examine the type and level of readiness of cities to deal with aspects of mobility crises. The questions focus on the processes in place for citizens and non-citizens both during and after disasters, especially if humanitarian assistance is available for migrants and citizens.

Safe, orderly and regular migration
Safe, orderly and regular migration

This domain analyses countries’ approach to migration management in terms of border control and enforcement policies, admission criteria for migrants, preparedness and resilience in the case of significant and unexpected migration flows, as well as the fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. It also assesses efforts and incentives to help integrate returning citizens.

Indicators in this category look at the cities’ approaches to migrant safety as well as return and reintegration policies and the fight against trafficking in persons.

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Key findings
INTRODUCTION

This local Profile describes examples of well-developed areas of District of Mangochi (Malawi)’s governance structures and areas with potential for further development, as evaluated through the six domains of the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI). These address migrants’ rights, a “whole-of-government” approach, partnerships, socioeconomic well-being of migrants, the mobility dimensions of crises, and safe and orderly migration.

Click the icons on the wheel to explore the key findings.

The Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) initiative is a policy-benchmarking programme led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and implemented with research and analysis from the Economist Impact. Funding is provided by IOM Member States. 

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Key findings
MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • Migrants in Mangochi District have access to government-funded health services without formal restrictions, although they are not explicitly mentioned in district-level health policies.
  • In Mangochi District, access to public primary education is free for all, including migrants, although migrants are not explicitly mentioned in relevant policies.
  • District authorities conducts awareness-raising campaigns to address xenophobia, promote the acceptance of migrants, and foster social cohesion through community meetings and community radio broadcasts.
  • Newly arrived migrants in Mangochi receive regular orientation sessions that cover legal requirements, cultural norms, visa issuance, and access to essential services, with information provided in both English and Chichewa.

Areas with potential for further development 

  • Establishing social housing programmes for both citizens and migrants is an area with potential for further development in Mangochi, although temporary shelter is provided to displaced persons during disasters under the Mangochi District Disaster Contingency Plan 2023–2024.
  • Mangochi lacks specific measures to combat discrimination against migrants in social services.
  • There are no specific measures for the protections of migrant children, unaccompanied, or separated children in Mangochi.
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Key findings
WHOLE-OF-GOVERNMENT APPROACH

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • Mangochi District has decentralized governance structures, such as the Disaster Risk Management Committee, Gender Technical Working Group (GTWG), District Youth Network, Child Protection Committee, and Trafficking in Persons Coordinating Committee, to coordinate migration-related issues.
  • The GTWG, established in 2015, partially covers migrant issues, facilitating the implementation of the National Gender Policy and mainstreaming gender considerations across district programmes.

Areas with potential for further development 

  • There is no specific agency responsible for designing migration policies in Mangochi, and the district lacks a formal migration strategy.
  • The Mangochi District Development Plan 2017–2022(2017) lacks provisions on migration.
  • The district does not engage with diaspora groups at the district level due to the absence of local diaspora associations.
  • The publication of district-level migration data, particularly disaggregated by sex, is an area with potential for development, with data currently only gathered during national censuses or upon request.
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Key findings
PARTNERSHIPS

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • Civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations participate in formulating Mangochi’s District Development Plan (DDP) 2017–2022(2017) and are engaged in migration management through the District Executive Committee (DEC) and the Trafficking in Persons Coordinating Committee.
  • The private sector, including banks, engages in migration policy and programme implementation through the DEC and partnerships with the District Labour Office.
  • Mangochi District cooperates with United Nations agencies benefiting from projects like the Malawi SDG Acceleration Fund and the Peacebuilding Fund. 

Areas with potential for further development

  • The engagement of migrant associations and the diaspora community in setting agendas and implementing migration-related programmes at the district level in Mangochi is an area with potential for further development.
  • Mangochi is not part of any international network for knowledge and best-practice exchange on migration issues, but the Mangochi District Health Office is affiliated with Africa CDC for cross-border disease surveillance.
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Key findings
WELL-BEING OF MIGRANTS

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • Mangochi District promotes gender equality for migrants in the workforce by implementing national legislation, including the National Gender Policy (2015) and the Employment Act (2000).
  • The District Labour Office conducts inspections in workplaces to ensure compliance with national labour laws, provides education on ethical recruitment, and may act as an arbitrator in labour disputes. 

Areas with potential for further development 

  • Mangochi District does not conduct local-level assessments to monitor labour market demand for immigrants or the effects of emigration.
  • Establishing programmes to attract migrant workers to Mangochi is an area for potential development.
  • There are no strategies in Mangochi to reduce or monitor remittance costs, as this is overseen by the Reserve Bank of Malawi through its 2020 Guidelines for Licensing and Operating Money Transfer Agents.
  • Mangochi lacks specific programmes to promote financial inclusion for migrants and their families.
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Key findings
MOBILITY DIMENSION OF CRISES

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • Mangochi District has an emergency management framework based on humanitarian principles, treating all residents equally—regardless of nationality—before, during, and after crises, as outlined in the Mangochi District Disaster Contingency Plan 2023–2024 (2023).
  • The District Disaster Risk Management Committee coordinates disaster-related efforts and develops the Disaster Contingency Plan 2023–2024(2023), the Disaster Risk Management Plan 2023–2028 (2023), and the Disaster Recovery Strategy 2023–2024 (2023), covering preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience.
  • The District Disaster Contingency Plan and Disaster Recovery Strategy include measures to address the needs of displaced populations, focusing on shelter, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).
  • Communication systems consider the needs of diverse audiences, with information available in multiple languages.

Areas with potential for further development 

  • The Disaster Contingency Plan 2023–2024 ensures gender-sensitive approaches are integrated across response activities, though it lacks specific provisions for migrants.
  • Neither the Mangochi District Development Plan 2017–2022 nor the Disaster Contingency Plan include measures to promote the reintegration of migrants who have fled the district during crises.
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Key findings
SAFE, ORDERLY AND DIGNIFIED MIGRATION

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • The Legal Aid Bureau in Mangochi, established under the Legal Aid Act (2013, updated 2014), provides legal aid, advice, and representation for vulnerable populations, including migrants.
  • Mangochi’s police officers receive regular training on addressing issues related to migrants through the Police Procedures Training Module, while public servants receive ad hoc training.
  • The district-level Trafficking in Persons Committee, established in 2022 and coordinated by the Mangochi Police, addresses human trafficking issues in Mangochi. 
  • Migrant workers in Mangochi are protected from labour exploitation under the Employment Act (2000) and the Workers’ Compensation Act (2000).

Areas with potential for further development 

  • Establishing a programme to attract former residents who have emigrated from Mangochi is an area with potential for development.
  • Mangochi District lacks a specific district level strategy to combat human trafficking.

2024 October

Migration Governance Indicators Profile: District of Mangochi (Malawi)