11 Mar 2024

Government is committed to empowering women to earn a living to support themselves and their families hence it is critical to ensure sustenance of projects funded to them.

As such women in Okavango were encouraged to take advantage of the various programmes and initiatives in place meant to support them.   Okavango District Acting Deputy Commissioner, Ms Tumelo Chibua, said during the International Women’s Day commemoration for the Okavango District held in Nxamasere on Friday.

In the Okavango District, she said, about 58 projects were funded through the Women Economic Empowerment Programme benefiting 163 women. She said about 142 women led projects were funded through Poverty Eradication Programme.

Ms Chibua said that women were also supported through affirmative procurement initiatives aimed to increase women’s participation in procurement opportunities.

She said the International Women’s Day was meant to celebrate women’s achievements throughout history and across nations and their role in society.

Ms Chibua said the theme “Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress” presented an opportunity to reflect on efforts and progress made towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

“It emphasise the need to address the structural barriers and discriminatory practices that hinders women’s full and equal participation in economic activities,” she said.

Mr Kenny Kapinga, the MP fr Okavango, who graced the event said it was important for women to be independent and that could be achieved by women learning crafts such as fashion design for survival.

Mr Kapinga challenged women to invest more on their children’s education, especially the girl child to eliminate gender disparities.

Mr Gaopalelwe Ronald, the  Okavango District Council chairperson challenged the women beneficiaries from the different empowerment programmes to ensure continuity for them to be self-employed and employ others.

Mr Ronald said women played a major role in the development of communities and should continue with that legacy. Ends