People of Traditional Authority Mzikubola in Mzimba District have expressed optimism that the skills they acquired under the Social Protection for Gender Empowerment and Resilience programme will empower them socioeconomically.
The programme, running with support from the World Bank and the Multi-Donor Trust Fund links beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer Programme to financial literacy training, village savings and loans groups and various economic opportunities to promote economic independence and reduce gender-based violence.
On Saturday, a delegation from the European Union (EU) visited beneficiaries to assess the programme’s impact.
A beneficiary Masozi Mvula said the programme encouraged her to join Kamwala Village Savings and Loans Group to invest her money.
“Through savings, I was able to raise capital for confectionary business. I am now able to support my family and I am constructing a decent house,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Jacob Nkhonjera, said he ventured into carpentry after undergoing a skills training programme under the Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (Teveta).
“I dropped out of secondary school in 2023 due to lack of school fees, but I acquired carpentry skills under the programme and I now make furniture,” he said.
Teveta regional service manager (North) Joseph Chikopa said at least 203 people have enrolled in skills training courses.
M’mbelwa District Council director of planning and development Walter Chikuni said the interventions are progressing well and the council plans to scale them up to other areas.
On her part, EU head of environment and climate, nutrition, agriculture, social protection and health cooperation Denisa Salkova, who led the delegation, commended the council for its exemplary implementation of the programme.
“We are impressed with the way this programme is being executed in Mzimba. The beneficiaries, many of whom are women, are gaining independence by running small businesses and contributing to the local economy,” she said.
