More than 500 women in Zomba have been equipped with practical business and financial skills through a women’s empowerment initiative spearheaded by CTS Courier, as the company steps up efforts to promote economic independence and entrepreneurship.
The training, held at Gymkhana Ground and delivered in partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Corporation (SMEDCO), focused on soap making, peanut butter production, cooking oil processing and financial management.
CTS Courier Marketing and Communications Officer Vannessa Kameza said the programme was designed to give women the tools needed to generate income and become financially self-sufficient.
She said the initiative would be rolled out to Lilongwe and Mzuzu between January and March next year, extending its reach to more women across the country.
Kameza also revealed plans to establish women’s cooperatives, enabling participants to sharpen their entrepreneurial skills and access capital to launch and grow small businesses.
The programme drew praise from Grace Kwelepeta, Member of Parliament for Zomba Malosa and chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, who described the training as a meaningful contribution to women’s economic empowerment.
She said the skills gained would help improve household incomes while supporting local production and reducing dependence on imported goods.
Kwelepeta further encouraged participants to utilise Constituency Development Fund (CDF) loans to turn their newly acquired skills into sustainable business ventures.
Among those trained was Emily Bwalambo from Zomba Malosa, who said the programme had given her the confidence and knowledge to pursue self-employment.
Bwalambo said she intends to start a peanut butter production business using the skills gained during the training.
SMEDCO Communications Officer Micah Nthere said the initiative was aimed at helping women become economically independent and create their own sources of income.
The training forms part of a broader push to strengthen women’s participation in business and enterprise development across Malawi.
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