Watchdog NGOs in Malawi: The Case of Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation in Malawi (CHRR)

This study is an investigation on the factors that impede upon the functions of watchdog NGOs in Malawi using the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) as a case study. Using participatory data collection tools such as focus group discussions and one-to-one interviews, information on good governance, human rights and freedom were collected from target groups and watchdog organizations. The key findings are categorized in two ways. First are the challenges related to CHRR itself which amongst many of them are external than internal. The other findings affect all NGOs in this sector. The key findings in this study were that of the tension and suspicious kind of the state and watchdog NGOs relationship. This hinges upon the aspect of trust and the political space where both of them are to interact. The practice of state accountability happens to be problematic as well for NGOs since the state in itself is not accountable to its citizens. However, amongst NGOs, there are internal factors that contribute to their lack of effectiveness. There is inadequate internal accountability. Corruption and lack of financial accountability remains a greatest weakness for them. This has affected their credibility amongst the duty bearers whom they want to hold them accountable as well as citizens they claim to represent. The citizens as well have let down these NGOs in the sense that people are not inclined to get involved in controversial political and economical issues. This is a biggest challenge since, Watchdog NGOs relies heavily on the participation of grassroots in order for their claims to be legitimized and sustained. By giving details of what they are involved in, their limitations and challenges, opportunities for improvements were identified including need to strengthen strategies that focus on capacity building on the part of the grassroots population as well as improving on networking so as to reduce the competition spirit that exists amongst them. Therefore, this study about watchdog NGOs in Malawi has laid groundwork-for further research aimed at re-shaping the understanding of how to make watchdog NGOs serve the cause of development better.