Women in Legumes Agri-business (WELA) - Malawi
- Malawi
- Resources
- Capacity Building
- Empowerment
- Empowerment
Women empowerment programs in Malawi
There are several programs and projects on women empowerment in Malawi. These programs are implemented by the government as well as NGOs. The government has an overarching program on women economic empowerment which is managed in the Ministry of Gender Children, Disability and Social Welfare.
Extension workers have been trained in various business management and other business-related skills through different projects that were being implemented by the ministry over the years. Some of the programs with a specific focus on women empowerment in Malawi are highlighted below.
Women in Legumes Agri-business (WELA)
In 2015 NABW started on a Sunflower Commercialization Programme at rural level, where 23 women groups participated. The program was reviewed in 2016 to broaden the crops to include more legumes (sugar beans, soybeans, groundnuts, pigeon peas, cow peas and sunflower). Women in groups of 10 were supported with certified seed to cultivate on a minimum of ten hectares.
During implementation youth and smallholder farmers that included men were identified as vulnerable to the same issues that NABW was addressing. A total of 2,082 farmers were supported and linked to technical services from government and partner institutions. The program has produced phenomenal results with little resources and the demand is growing to reach out to more members.
Activities
The main aim of the program is to improve market access for women farmers by enhancing competitiveness. This is done by helping participating farmers to access and use certified seed, group extension delivery and planning their farm business enterprises.
Coverage
The program covers all of Malawi. The target farmers are NABW members. Members are not expected to pay anything.
Contact information
National Association of Business Women
Private Bag X157, Lilongwe 3
Bingu National Stadium
East Gate, Entrance Box 2, Corporate Box 15
Email: bandabarbara@gmail.com / limbanazom@gmail.com
Phone: +265884814681 / +265882250809
Web: www.nabw.org