LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Irish Consortium on Gender Based Violence (MICGBV) has emphasized the need for women to be economically independent if the GBV is to eradicated.
The Consortium Chairperson Lucy Mwangi observes that gender disparities in the country’s informal settlements continue affecting women’s progress in the attainment of their economic independence.
Mwangi said if women are economically empowered cases of of domestic violence particularly those with disabilities will be eased.
She made the observation on Thursday, March 29, 2024, at Chinsapo in Lilongwe during the consortium’s International Women’s Day celebration, a chat with grassroots women.
Malawi and the global community observed International Women’s Month this March and the Chinsapo event attracted the informal women sector from some parts of the central region to showcase their economic empowerment activities.
“We are here to celebrate achievements of women in the informal sector. Local women have made strides in economic empowerment that cases of GBV have eased as women are able to support their families without always relying on men to survive.
“Many women are into various businesses for survival including tailoring, manure making, farming and among others. Women with disabilities have also joined the race of economic independence hence the consortium has supported them tailoring machines,” said Mwangi.
She added, “Women living with disabilities are especially vulnerable to poverty, and hence as a way of supporting the creation of sustainable income-generating activities, and to boost their livelihoods, MICGBV in partnership with Malawi Council for the Handicap MACOHA has supported five women in launching their income generating activity in their pre-selected choice of entrepreneurship.
“Each of the women got a start-up kit in sewing business. By accessing economic opportunities, these women will build livelihoods that will support their long-term recovery from violence, thus overcoming financial dependence on others, which In turn will free them from the risk of violence associated with economic vulnerability and gender inequality”.
Lilongwe district Council gender officer Gertrude Simwaka hailed the organizations for amplifying their efforts in the district to bridge the gender gap.
Simwaka observed that cases of GBV have been reduced as many women are engaged on economic activities that support their families.
In her testimony, Chinsapo’s Federation group member Agnes Mchecheta lauded, “Since 2021, my family has not struggled with daily incomes as proceeds from biogas business have enabled me to venture into other businesses including food, clothing and among others”.
During the event, the consortium donated startup kits such as sawing machines to women with disabilities.
The Malawi Irish Consortium on Gender Based Violence (MICGBV) was set up in 2014.
Its membership is diverse, representing humanitarian development, human rights, advocacy, and gender-focused organizations.
Currently, the Malawi Irish Consortium on Gender-Based Violence (MICGBV) comprises six member organizations including ActionAid Malawi, Concern Worldwide, Irish Rule of Law, Oxfam in Malawi, Self-Help Africa-United Purpose, and Trócaire with support from and in close collaboration with the Embassy of Ireland in Malawi.
The MICGBV hosted a chat with grassroots women in commemoration of IWD as a way to educate them about economic empowerment; power of visioning; and bring awareness on forms of GBV.
MICGBV also used the platform to discuss and hear from the women themselves on the prevalent challenges faced by women and girls in the economic empowerment landscape in Malawi and make recommendations for post-IWD priorities for investment in women’s economic empowerment in Malawi.
