Use the money wisely – Limata urges women

—-Gender and Child Development Deputy Minister, Josephine Limata, has cautioned women clubs that have benefited from Government’s women empowerment funds to use the money they get for the intended purpose.

Mrs Limata stated that Government will not accept a situation where empowerment funds are just shared among club members instead of investing them in income generating ventures as planned in order to uplift their living standards.

She said women empowerment funds are not meant for club members to share but to generate more money for them to be able to feed their families and educate their children.

The Deputy Minister said this yesterday when she handed over 15 cheques to various women clubs in Solwezi district amounting to over KR37, 000 as start-up capital for the different projects they applied for.

Under the women empowerment programme, four clubs in Solwezi East Constituency have received a hammer mill and KR 2, 000 start-up capital each, eight clubs have received 300 day-old chicks, drinkers, feeders and KR3, 000 start-up capital each, while one club received two sewing machines and KR2, 000 start-up capital.

Of the other two clubs, one received two knitting machines and KR 2, 000 start-up capital while the other benefited a peanut butter making machine and KR2, 000 start-up capital.

Mrs Limata said Government is determined to eradicate hunger and poverty among women through ventures like the women empowerment programme.

She said President Michael Sata does not want to see his people suffering and that his administration, as a pro-poor Government, will see to it that all citizens live decent and comfortable lives.

The Deputy Minister also implored traditional leaders to help Government monitor how empowerment funds are being utilized to avoid abuse.

She said it will be regrettable to see that funds that are aimed at improving the living conditions of women, especially in rural areas, end up being abused, adding that such a thing will defeat the very purpose of the empowerment programme.

And Traditional leaders in Solwezi District have saluted Government’s women empowerment programme, saying the initiative will help alleviate hunger and poverty among rural households.

Speaking when Mrs Limata paid a courtesy call on him at his palace yesterday, Senior Chief Kalilele of the Lamba speaking people of Solwezi district said the empowerment of women is vital in addressing social challenges such as hunger and poverty that society faces.

Senior Chief Kalilele pledged to work closely with the Government of the day in order to ensure that people’s lives in his area are uplifted.

And Chief Mulonga of the Lamba speaking people of Solwezi District praised Government for its effort to alleviate the suffering of the people in the country by initiating pro-poor policies like the women empowerment programme.

Chief Mulonga urged Government to initiate more pro-poor programmes for people’s living conditions to be uplifted.

Among the clubs that benefitted from the women empowerment fund in Solwezi district include, Lusekelo, Kwisamba, Kabiloto, Kabisapi, Twasanta, Mutanda, Buyantanshi and Tukwatankane.

Others are Mwebeshi, World Day of Prayers, Lwafula, Chimwenu, Hope Kimasala Support Group, Katwenge and Kimasala Disabled Women’s clubs.