Bachelor of Social Science (Economics & Demography) | University of Malawi

University of Malawi (Formerly Chancellor College)
Graduated: 2016

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Economics Thesis:

Disparities in Occupational Earnings by Gender in Malawi
Supervisor: Prof. R. M. Masanjala

Demography Thesis:

Women’s Empowerment and the Unmet Need for Family Planning in Malawi
Supervisor: Mr. J. Chingwalu

Overview:

Nthanda Manduwi holds a Bachelor of Social Science, double majoring in Economics and Demography, awarded by the University of Malawi in 2016. This program served as the foundation of her academic and professional journey, equipping her with rigorous analytical tools to examine issues of inequality, gender, population, and development economics.

Throughout her undergraduate studies, Nthanda developed a deep interest in evidence-based policy and gender equity, which would later influence her research and career in public policy, international development, and entrepreneurship.

Dissertation I: Economics

Title: Disparities in Occupational Earnings by Gender in Malawi
Supervisor: Prof. Richard M. Masanjala

This dissertation examined gender wage disparities in Malawi’s labor market using the Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition technique. Nthanda’s research found that while earnings within occupations did not show significant gender differences, broader disparities in occupational access between men and women revealed structural inequities. The research contributed to national discourse on economic justice and laid groundwork for Nthanda’s later policy advocacy work focused on equity and empowerment.

Dissertation II: Demography:

Title: Women’s Empowerment and the Unmet Need for Family Planning in Malawi
Supervisor: Mr. Julius Chingwalu

Using data from the 2010 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS), this dissertation analyzed the relationship between women’s household decision-making power and the unmet need for family planning. The research revealed a strong correlation between empowerment indicators and access to reproductive healthcare services. These findings helped Nthanda understand the demographic realities shaping Malawi’s development and sparked her long-term interest in the intersection of gender, health, and population dynamics.

Leadership & Early Impact Work:

During her time at Chancellor College, Nthanda served as Vice President of the Leo Club, the youth wing of Lions Club International. This role introduced her to charity and social impact work and was her first formal step into community service and youth leadership. These early experiences of civic engagement inspired her trajectory into impact-driven development and eventually multilateral work with the United Nations.

Legacy & Trajectory:

Her undergraduate years were not only marked by academic excellence but also by a values-based orientation toward justice, equity, and systems thinking. With strong research grounding and real-world service, Nthanda’s undergraduate journey planted the seeds for her postgraduate studies, her UN fellowship, and the founding of multiple social ventures focused on empowering youth and bridging structural gaps across Africa.

This foundational training continues to influence her work as an economist, demographer, and entrepreneur.

Get in Touch:

Want to engage Ms. Manduwi as a speaker at your event, in other professional capacity? Get in touch. Email her via nthanda@kwathu.org, or fill the form below: