Women empowerment, a catalyst for development – Mwelwa

Women empowerment, a catalyst for development – Mwelwa 

Serenje, December11, ZANIS ———A senior government official says empowerment of women clubs is a pre-liquisite for sustainable development and achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Speaking in Serenje when he officiated at the launch of the District Women Empowerment Programme, Serenje District Commissioner Charles Mwelwa said women are the World’s greatest resource and Government understands the importance of investing in them hence helping women clubs embark on viable income generating ventures.

Mr Mwelwa who handed over K170, 000 to 40 women clubs in Serenje district said a World Bank report shows that Gender inequality limits economic growth and that when gender based barriers are removed, economies can flourish.

He said the PF government is determined to redress the existing imbalances and provide equal opportunities for both men and women to actively contribute to national development.

The District Commissioner said officers in the Ministry of Community Development will monitor the funded women clubs to ensure funds are put to right use.

“My office has received reports that some clubs are just on paper their only interest is to receive money and share. My officers in the Ministry of Community Development will monitor the women clubs which have been funded to ensure the funds are put to the applied for projects,” he said.

And Assistant Community Development Officer Simalabbe Sikaulu said out of the 93 women clubs that applied for funding, 40 have been approved while 19 have been put on a waiting list for the next funding.

Mr Simalabbe however, said the district community development office is facing challenges in empowering women clubs with skills to help their members build capacity due to lack of an allocation for the activity.

He also said limited allocation for monitoring is also another challenge the office is facing.

Mr Simalabbe appealed to the Ministry of Community Development Mother and Child Health Headquarters to look into the challenges.