UN Women Malawi has commended the efforts of local women in leading disaster risk management initiatives through economic empowerment.
UN Women Country Representative Letty Chiwara said this during a visit to Maliya in Senior Chief Kuntaja’s area in Blantyre, meant to appreciate the progress of the Women Resilience to Disaster (WRD) programme in Blantyre.
“Women always face the hardships of natural disasters, so we believe if they are empowered they will be resilient,” said Chiwara.
The WRD programme has trained women to act as first responders during disasters, form farming groups, and establish village savings and loan groups.
The programme is being implemented by Foundation for Civic Education & Social Empowerment with support from Australian Aid and Christian Aid.
By Geoffrey Chinawa