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Empowering Women in Rural Mchinji Through Skills Training
Women in rural areas face significant challenges in personal development, primarily due to limited knowledge and access to skills that can empower them economically, writes Gerald Fanuel.
Mchinji, Malawi - For years, women in rural areas have faced significant challenges in personal development, primarily due to limited knowledge and access to skills that can empower them economically, writes Gerald Fanuel.
However, in communities surrounding Traditional Authorities Simpasi, Kazyozyo, and Nyoka in Mchinji, the narrative is changing as many women are now able to achieve financial independence through vocational training programs.
In 2021, the Center for Economic Research and Development Initiative (CERADI), a non-governmental organization, launched the Tigwirane Manja (Let's Hold Hands) project.
Through this initiative, 1,128 women and 264 men were trained in vocational skills such as motorcycle mechanics, weaving, and welding.
The project's ultimate goal is to, directly and indirectly, reach over 14,000 women and approximately 2,000 men as allies.
Esther Kanyemba, one of the beneficiaries of the vocational training, expressed her delight at the opportunities that have unfolded before her. Having obtained a welding certification, she has been able to transform her life and support her family financially.
"I have gained immensely from the welding training provided by CERADI. It's challenging for people like us with little or no formal education to access such training, especially free of charge," Esther shared in an interview with Africabrief.
As a single mother of two, Esther now has the means to meet her family's basic needs, which was a struggle for her after her divorce.
She acknowledged the importance of capacity-building programs for women in similar situations, emphasizing the need for self-sufficiency.
"I lacked the proper education that would enable me to seek employment or access financial capital to start a business. We barely had enough food to feed my children. But now, all of that is in the past. Women like us require this kind of support to empower ourselves," she added.
The prevalence of poverty in the region has resulted in a significant percentage of children, particularly girls, being unable to pursue secondary education. This unintentionally limits the options available to young women, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.
Data from the 2021 UNESCO Institute for Statistics reveal that there are 2.6 million illiterate females compared to 2.1 million illiterate males.
As of 2021, the literacy rate for females stands at 63.69%, while for males it is 71.16%.
In Mchinji, the Center for Economic Research and Development Initiative (CERADI) recognizes the importance of empowering women, girls, and marginalized groups through knowledge and vocational skill development.
This approach aims to increase employment opportunities and foster the establishment of successful businesses.
Florida Banda, the programs manager for CERADI, highlights that gender inequalities manifest in critical areas such as economic participation, educational attainment, health, survival, and political empowerment, which perpetuate stereotypes.
"Our goal is to challenge these stereotypes by providing training in areas traditionally dominated by men. By offering vocational skills training in motorcycle mechanics, welding, and basket weaving, we aim to create equal opportunities for women, girls, and marginalized groups in the ever-evolving world," Banda explained.
Daisy Ngosi Khanje, the Mchinji District Gender Officer, believes that providing vocational training for women opens up a wide range of choices in their lives, emphasizing that empowerment starts with having options.
However, Banda acknowledges that the project has faced hurdles due to some women's reluctance to attend vocational skills training and the resistance from their families, who are not accustomed to such developments. The sight of women becoming motorcycle mechanics in their communities is unfamiliar.
To address this challenge, CERADI, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, initiated measures to encourage participation and overcome these barriers. The organization recognizes that change takes time and is committed to promoting inclusivity and breaking down gender stereotypes in vocational fields.
By equipping women, girls, and marginalized groups with vocational skills, CERADI aims to empower them to make choices that can lead to a more prosperous and equitable society.