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By: Martin Gela Jnr-Correspondent
The consortium of Emmanuel International Malawi and Tiphedzane Community Support Organization (TICOSO) have donated nine bicycles and other materials to women who are supervisors of agents of Village Savings and Loans (VSLs) in Nsanje district.
Speaking after the donation at Fargo village in the area of Senior Chief Chimombo in the district, Emmanuel International Malawi, District Coordinator Kulimbamtima Portia Chiotcha said the aim of the bicycles is to ease mobility challenges that the supervisors have been enduring.
“We trained them on VSL methodology thereby encouraging them on the importance of setting VSL groups, about five groups which means that we have 45 VSLs in the areas of Senior Chief Chimombo, Ngabu and Ndamera in the district.
“The groups comprise women who are survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV). This is in line with pillars 4 and 6 of Malawi Government and UN Agencies program of Spotlight Initiative focussing on women movement and civil societies capacity building for them to come out and report any forms of abuse,” said Chiotcha.
Chiotha believes that the bicycles and other materials like raincoats, t-shirts and laptop bags will help the beneficiaries to work hard in fighting GBV.
On her part, Agent for Chimombo area, Aida Neva applauded the organisations for the support saying the bicycles will motivate them to apply more effort in promoting VSLs and curbing GBV.
“For instance as of now, three VSL groups have in total accumulated K3, 621, 500. To survivors of GBV, this is a great achievement for the women as they are now self reliant,” explained Neva.
She further stated that currently the women are growing red and yellow sweet potatoes for food and income.
Chairperson of Chimombo Area Development Committee (ADC), Symon Harry said the initiative is reducing GBV and promoting economic empowerment among rural women.
Nsanje District Assistant Community Development Officer, Joseph Chilongo thanked the consortium for helping his office in building the capacity of VSLs and increasing community awareness on the dangers of abusing women and girls.
The consortium of Emmanuel International Malawi and TICOSO are implementing a one year project from November last year to December, 2022 namely Spotlight Initiative Wakana nkhanza with funding from the European Union.
