OXFAM embark on project to fight gender inequality

By Harold Mtepatepa

Lilongwe, June 24: OXFAM Malawi has embarked on project to tackle poverty among women in the three districts of Lilongwe, Phalombe and Mchinji in a bid to fight gender inequality which is a recipe for gender based violence (GBV) in the country.

Speaking during the launch of the project in Salima, OXFAM Project Manager, Stevie Kuliyazi said women are excluded from economic opportunities because they lack resources. He said such gender injustices expose women to violence.

 “We want to support women, especially girls, to enjoy their equity in accessing public services and become influential in the society. One way is to give them the resources. This project is targeting them to improve their capacity through TEVET and entrepreneurship skills.”

Lilongwe District Gender Officer, Jessica Mwanza said the project is key in eliminating the wider economic disparity between women and men in the districts.

“The project will strengthen government programmes aimed at empowering women in the communities in income generating activities so that they could support their homes.

“One of the attributes to gender based violence is dependency but through the project women will have the ability to provide some of the basic needs in their homes,” she said.