Govt disburses K70,000 to Chipata women

Government, through the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health, has disbursed over K70,000 in form of grants to eight women groups in Chipata.

The money is aimed at improving the welfare of women through Income Generating Activities (IGAs).

Speaking when he officiated at a hand over ceremony of cheques to women groups, Chipata District Commissioner, Kalunga Zulu, said government had a programme of supporting women so that they become economically and socially empowered.

Mr Zulu said most women were vulnerable to Gender Based Violence ( GBV) because they were economically and socially weak.

He was speaking in a speech read for him by District Administrative Officer, Masauso Banda, at Hillside Girls’ Secondary School Teachers’ Resource Centre in Chipata today.

Mr Zulu said government remained committed to supporting women’s efforts of reducing poverty at their households.

He advised the women to prove to government that they were serious with what they asked for by not misusing funds which were coming from the national treasury.

‘’We need to prove to government by putting the money to good use that we mean business with what we requested for,’’ Mr Zulu said.

And Chipata District Community Development Officer, Nelson Banda, said women had a lot of responsibilities and it was the reason why government empowered them economically and socially.

Mr Banda said government wanted to help women come out of poverty so that they do not lag behind in terms of development.

And moving a vote of thanks, Osauka Siatopa Women’s group member, Eunice Zulu, thanked government for coming to the aid of women.

This year, government has so far disbursed K 261, 496-00 to 30 women groups in Chipata.