Government has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering vulnerable women through skills development.
As part of this commitment, 74 Community-Based Volunteers (CBVs) in Kalumbila District are undergoing a 10-day Life and Business Skills Training under the Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihoods (GEWEL II) Project.
Speaking during the opening of the training in Kisasa District Commissioner Brenda Sankisa said the programme is designed to equip volunteers with the knowledge and skills needed to mentor women from Social Cash Transfer households in life skills, financial literacy, entrepreneurship and sexual and reproductive health.
Ms Sankisa said the Supporting Women’s Livelihoods (SWL) component of the GEWEL II Project reflects government’s commitment to poverty reduction, women’s empowerment, and community development.
She explained that the programme targets extremely poor women aged between 19 and 64 years providing them with a comprehensive package that includes life and business skills training, a productivity grant of more than US$225 paid in two instalments through a payment service provider of the beneficiary’s choice, six months of mentoring and peer support, and the formation of savings groups.
Ms Sankisa noted that life skills enable individuals to make informed decisions, solve problems and build stronger families while sexual and reproductive health education empowers women to make informed choices and safeguard their health.
The DC added that financial literacy and entrepreneurship training would help beneficiaries transform business ideas into sustainable sources of income.
She urged the volunteers to embrace their role as a bridge between government programmes and communities by delivering quality training, mentoring beneficiaries, and inspiring women to improve their livelihoods.
“The support provided under the SWL programme is a one-time opportunity aimed at improving productivity and household incomes,” she said.
She encouraged the volunteers to remain committed throughout the training and subsequent programme implementation.
North-western Provincial Community Development Officer Kondwani Munyeka, welcomed Kalumbila District’s inclusion in the GEWEL Phase II Project, saying community development officers had already been trained in grievance redress mechanisms, targeting and beneficiary identification to ensure effective implementation.
Mr Munyeka explained that the project adopts a “cash-plus” approach, integrating various government social protection initiatives to help vulnerable households graduate from poverty.
He said while one household member may benefit from the Social Cash Transfer Programme, another could receive the SWL productivity grant, with others later accessing support through the Food Security Pack and receive fertilizer.
Mr Munyeka disclosed that the 74 trained Community-Based Volunteers will facilitate beneficiary training, provide mentorship, and establish savings groups within their respective communities.
He urged the volunteers to uphold professionalism, dress appropriately and conduct themselves as responsible representatives of government, reminding them that they are the eyes of government at community level.
Meanwhile, District Community Development Susan Phiri, said the Supporting Women’s Livelihoods component was being implemented by the Department of Community Development under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services to improve productivity and reduce poverty in rural communities.
Ms Phiri said beneficiaries received three weeks of life and business skills training, a productivity grant, six months of mentoring and peer support, and support to establish savings groups aimed at strengthening household financial resilience.
She added that the programme seeks to enhance beneficiaries’ knowledge of life skills and sexual and reproductive health, strengthen financial literacy and entrepreneurship, and encourage support from household members to enable women to improve their livelihoods.
And the Participants have welcomed the initiative, saying the skills acquired will help improve their families’ livelihoods.
