Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare says limited access to loans for startup capital among women is one of the factors hindering women advancement towards economic empowerment.

In an interview, the ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Pauline Kaude, said if women and girls were empowered to venture into small scale businesses, their households would be economically stable in food and nutrition with improved general welfare including childcare.

She said limited resources in the ministry is one of the challenges that hinder implementation of programmes meant to advance women economic empowerment in order for them to become productive citizens.

“We have full programmmes that look at economic empowerment, reduction of gender-based violence and other programmes in gender mainstreaming.

“We look at empowerment from a holistic angle; education and training, economic, legal frameworks that support women and girls and land ownership,” said Kaude.

Kaude: women empowerment programmes are hindered by limited resources. Pic, Courtesy of Pauline Kaude

She added that, in Malawi, more than half of the population is female and leaving out more than 50 percent is developmental suicide.

Kaude, therefore, appealed to different partners, such as government, non-governmental organisations and development partners, to collaborate to empower women saying government sees potential human development in women empowerment through human capital development as per Malawi 2063.

Chairlady for Chikondano Gomen group, Eliza Chisale, said it is important to mobilise women and young women to venture into small scale businesses to reduce poverty at household level.

”I encourage fellow women and girls, that have no business, to do small scale businesses such as selling second hand clothes, doughnuts and others items so that they are able to take care of their families.

“Lack of startup capital remains a factor hindering most women and young women in different areas. The major problem still remains; lack of money and limited opportunity to access loans to help women to realise their dreams of being economically stable,” she added.

Chisale, therefore, appealed to government to facilitate accessibility to loans that should help women find startup capital for small scale businesses for improved livelihood.

Chikondano Women Group a has a component of savings and loan such that 65 members were doing small scale business ranging from selling second hand clothes to running cosmetic shops and hair salons.