EU impressed with women empowerment in Salima

European Union (EU) head of delegation to Malawi Marchel Gerrmann has commended Salima National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust for its efforts towards women involvement in political, economic and developmental activities.

Speaking after touring Salima Nice offices, Gerrmann said besides women empowerment, there is need to enhance citizen voices and promote duty-bearers and service providers accountability through establishment of citizen forums.

“We will continue to financially support Nice activities and, for the next four to five years, we will make nine million euros (about K7.2 billion) available.  We are impressed with some of the programmes that are being implemented here,” he said.

The EU head said increasing citizen forums facilitation can help in easing cases of corruption, community mobilisation, local resources management and improve responsiveness of duty-bearers, among other things.

Salima district civic education officer Queen Mkandawire said the culture of silence and un-cooperating duty-bearers are some of the challenges the organisation is facing.

However, she commended EU for the financial support which she said has helped in smooth implementation of some of the programmes in the district.

“Nice has facilitated the establishment of resource centres in various districts, including Salima,” said Mkandawire. n