WOMEN WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENTS GET EMPOWERED

Community Development and Social Services Minister Doreen Mwamba has reaffirmed Government`s commitment towards addressing issues that affect vulnerable girls and women, particularly women with disabilities.

Ms. Mwamba noted that poverty is one of the biggest challenges faced by women with disabilities.

She said it is for this reason that the new dawn Government in collaboration with other stakeholders is promoting empowerment initiatives such as skills development among women with disabilities.

The Minister said this in a speech read on her behalf by the Ministry`s Permanent Secretary Angela Chomba Kawandami at the launch of the Sustainable Womens Economic Empowerment Project (SWEEP) to implemented by Zambian Women With Skills (ZWWS) Organisation.

The project which is funded by the US State Department, targets to train 20 women with hearing impairments drawn from different vulnerable communities across Lusaka with empowerment skills like tailoring and catering among others.

Ms. Mwamba expressed confidence that the project will contribute to Government’s efforts in the provision of basic social protection services through vocational skills empowerment for women.

And ZWWS Founder Board Chairperson Bwalya Maketo said participants of the project would not only be empowered with skills, but also business start-up packages.