Wolrec helps Dedza communities demand their rights

Women’s Legal Rights Resource Center (Wolrec) has been hailed for contributing to the rise in communities making their duty bearers accountable in Dedza.

Wolrec is implementing activities in Dedza with financial support from Democracy Consolidation Programme (DCP).

This was observed Friday during a Wolrec monitoring visit to assess how Community Raising Committees (CRCs) are working towards empowering communities with knowledge and skills on democracy and good governance.

Wolrec programme officer Gift Mawuluka said the programme has increased communities’ awareness of their right to development and has improved the lives of people in Dedza district.

He said: “We thought it wise to go around and see what the CRCs are doing on the ground. I should say that I am impressed because out of 136 CRCs in Dedza, 70 of them are vibrant and are producing the intended results.”

Chambala CRC in Traditional Authority (T/A) Tambala has helped the community to establish a 30 hectare irrigation scheme on which there are also 10 fish ponds.

Chambala CRC chairperson Hamidi Katasefu said with the guidance from Wolrec, they asked Irlad for 85 bags of cement, World Vision for pipes and Concern Universal for fish species making the dream of an irrigation scheme and fish farming a success in their area.

These committees are also engaged in village savings and loans and Miyowe CRC has K250 000 in their bank account