Malawian girls going to school

Evaluation of USAID ASPIRE Activity in Malawi

Project dates: 2017

Client type: U.S. Government

Key topics: Education, Gender and Inclusive Development, Health, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Research, Youth

Related Country(ies): Malawi

Region: Sub-Saharan Africa


EnCompass conducted an external performance evaluation of The Malawi Girls’ Empowerment through Education and Health Activity (ASPIRE), a 4-year USAID activity implemented by Save the Children. ASPIRE, which began in 2014, aims to improve girls’ academic achievement and empowerment through innovative, cross-sectoral interventions addressing education, health, and structural and cultural factors that influence girls’ performance. ASPIRE will reach 182,000 girls aged 10 to 19.

The evaluation used a mixed-method design to capture what achievements were occurring and why and how change was unfolding. EnCompass’ utilization-focused approach engaged key stakeholders in evaluation planning, validation of the findings, and development of recommendations. Quantitative tools were designed to analyze trends over time, and included an oral reading assessment, a knowledge, attitudes, and practices survey questionnaire for students, a head-teacher questionnaire, and a school-based checklist examining water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure. Qualitative methods comprised focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews with students, school staff, USAID and ASPIRE personnel, NGO partners, healthcare providers, community groups, and government officials. EnCompass collected data from more than 1,000 quantitative respondents and more than 100 qualitative interviews and focus groups. 

Resources related to the evaluation of USAID ASPIRE in Malawi include:

Image c/o Kady Chiu/USAID via US Government Works

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EnCompass Staff

EnCompass offers innovative solutions for organizational excellence.  We seek to enhance the impact and capacity of government and multilateral agencies, corporations, and nonprofits around the world through customized services in organizational and leadership development, training, technical assistance, and evaluation.

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