The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services has launched phase five payments of the productivity grants under the Supporting Women’s Livelihoods (SWL).
Speaking at launch in Chongwe district, Community Development and Social Services Minister Doreen Mwamba said 91, 549 women out of the targeted 129,400 had so far benefited from the K3, 790 grants in the previous phases.
Ms. Mwamba announced that the sixth phase of the grants payments will target 20, 620 beneficiaries from 47 districts across the country.
The Minister said SWL, which is a component of the Girl’s Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihoods (GEWEL) project, is aimed at supporting poor women in improving their economic livelihood.
“The initiative provides a broad package of activities for beneficiaries, including savings group formation, life and business skills training, mentoring and peer support and provision of productivity grants,” Ms. Mwamba said.
She also thanked coorporating partners for their efforts towards the effective and efficient implementation of the project.
Speaking earlier, Health Minister Sylvia Masebo, who is also Chongwe Member of Parliament said 444 women in the district will receive productivity grants in phase five.
Ms. Masebo expressed gratitude for the empowerment, stressing that Chongwe district was one of the districts with more vulnerable women.
“This is a milestone, by empowering women we are empowering families, communities and the nation respectively,” Ms. Masebo said.
She also urged beneficiaries to put the grants to good use, so that they could be able to stand on their own and contribute positively to economic growth in their families, communities and the nation at large.
And Airtel Money Director Andrew Chuma, who spoke on behalf of Payment Service Providers assured Government of support in improving the lives of communities.
Meanwhile, in giving a vote of thanks, a beneficiary, Melissa Mutale thanked Government for the SWL initiative.
Ms. Mutale said the initiative had uplifed livelihoods of vulnerable women in the district, as they were engaging in various income generating activities such as livestock rearing, trading, crop farming among others.
The launch was also attended by Lusaka Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Gomezyani Gondwe, Acting Chongwe District Commissioner Kelvin Ndandanda, Members of the Community and Officials from the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.
