Community Development and Social Services Minister Honorable Doreen Mwamba says women empowerment is one of the New Dawn Government’s top priorities.

Hon. Mwamba said Government recognized the important role that women play in alleviating poverty in the country, especially at household level. She said this was the reason why Government through her Ministry has put in place various programmes aimed at empowering women.

The Minister said this when she officiated at the Zambia National Service (ZNS) Eagles Ladies Club Workshop in Lusaka which was attended by women from over 42 ZNS camps countrywide. The workshop sought to raise financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills among members.

The Minister commended the management of the club for coming up with the initiative, stressing that the workshop will help in reducing household vulnerability through  empowerment skills such as farming, art, sewing and cattle rearing among the skills being offered. She further implored the club to consider extending similar empowerment skills to other women who are not members.

Ms. Mwamba was appointed as Brand Ambassador for the Club, she pledged to widely promote products of the club and assured them to explore ready markets for the products.

She said her Ministry is open to partner with progressives groups who go out of their way to supplement the efforts of Government by engaging in economic activities. She further urged corporate bodies to support the economic activities of the club through pledges and donations.

Speaking at the same event, Eagles Ladies Club Patron Angela Solochi said the club has expanded its operation model from just doing charity work to empowering its members with various entrepreneurship skills. Ms Solochi pointed out that this will enable members to be innovative and that this will help them to address some of the economic challenges not only in their households but communities will be positively impacted on too.