Phukira Geotech for Women: Mapping Dzalanyama forest restoration in Malawi

I grew up understanding how closely communities depend on the land around them. In Malawi, forests are more than trees—they protect water sources, support food systems, regulate temperatures, and sustain livelihoods. Yet in places like Dzalanyama Forest Reserve, deforestation and environmental degradation continue to threaten both ecosystems and communities.

Through Spatial Girls Network and the Phukira GeoTech for Women program, we have worked with young women who are eager to contribute to environmental solutions but often lack access to tools, opportunities, and spaces where they can lead. During previous tree planting activities, many girls became curious about maps, environmental monitoring, and restoration work. That curiosity inspired this next phase of our journey.

Phukira Cohort 2 combines geospatial learning, restoration monitoring, and community stewardship. Over 12 months, 20 young women will be trained in GIS, remote sensing, drone-assisted observation, and participatory mapping, then apply these skills directly in Dzalanyama Forest Reserve. Participants will map degraded areas, monitor restoration activities, support tree planting efforts alongside local environmental partners, and document environmental changes through storytelling and visual mapping.

Our ecosystem is one where climate change, deforestation, and limited opportunities for young women intersect. We believe restoration should not only heal landscapes, but also reconnect young people to the land and to their own ability to create change. By combining environmental stewardship with women’s leadership and accessible digital tools, the project aims to build a community-rooted model for restoration, resilience, and hope.