CADECOM set to empower GBV survivors

The Catholic Development Commission (CADECOM) of Chikwawa Diocese Social Services Directorate on Friday 9th April made a donation of varied items to be used for training and capacity building of Gender Based Violence (GBV) Survivors in the area of Traditional Authority Mloro, Nsanje.

Coming with support from the UN women’s Spotlight Initiative, the donation targeted 128 women who were previously victimised of different degrees of GBV in the mentioned area. The handover ceremony happened at Fatima Cuppen Hall in Nsanje and marked a significant step in the empowerment process of the women. It is expected that they will eventually start small scale businesses following the donation and the follow-up skills improvement trainings which will be conducted at a later date.

Among the donated items were; Hair dressing and saloon materials, sewing machines, water pumps, Solar Panels, and bags of baking flour, just to mention.

According to CADECOM Diocesan Secretary, Mr. Chisale, the women have been split into 7 groups in which they will be operating the businesses and other 2 groups of irrigation schemes. He says this has been done as part of providing post remedial care and response to the survivors

“These women have faced various forms GBV due to power and financial concentrates. They hence need to be independent to avoid being victimised again. So we are initiating them to intrapreneurship through the trainings they will undergo”

The skills which will be gained through the coming trainings include baking, Sewing, saloon and hairdressing, just to mention. About 20 women of the 128 are also slated to start irrigation farming utilising the donated water pumps.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Nsanje District Social Welfare Officer, Chikumbutso Salifu, lauded CADECOM for the donation and initiative adding that GBV survivors need both psychological and material support.

“Many GBV survivors are often victims of discrimination and stigma. They need post remedial care and this should always be accompanied by material support for them to be independent and certainly confident”

He said

CADECOM is implementing the Spotlight Initiative in Nsanje with the aim of promoting economic empowerment among women and girls who have survived various degrees of GBV.