At least 100 women in Bangwe Township in Blantyre are making money from turning waste into usable products, courtesy of a training from Centre for Conflict Management and Women Development Affairs.
The women turn the waste into chicken feed and manure and recycle it into usable products.
In an interview on Saturday, the organisation’s project officer Samuel Lupeska said they equipped the women with skills to empower them economically.
| Wisdom Chirombo
He said: “We are removing structural barriers such as unequal roles and rights and empowering disadvantaged women.
“We noted that a woman who is not economically independent is not recognised when it comes to making household decisions. As a result, such a woman is subjected to abuse.”
The organisation’s programmes adviser Thoko
Chimasula encouraged the women to find markets for their products.
“They can sell the products such as manure to farmers as the rainy season is fast approaching,” she said.
Bangwe Naizi Market vice-chairperson Chifundo Njobvuyalema said they also raise chickens.
“This has transformed our families as we are able to contribute towards their economic well-being,” she said.
Njobvuyalema said besides selling the waste products, they also contribute towards a clean environment in the areas.
Centre for Conflict Management and Women Development Affairs is implementing the one-year project with funding from Global Environmental Facility under Small Grants Programme (SGP) through United Nations Development Programme
