By Alka Subramanian | Director
We are proud to share that in the next two months, 611 women will receive training in business and entrepreneurship. Post training the women gain confidence running a business and join our current group of entrepreneurs. Almost all women attribute their business success to the training and ongoing support they receive as they go through multiple loan cycles.
The goals of our women's empowerment program are: (i) equip women with the tools to run a successful business, (ii) create conditions for women to be socially empowered, and (iii) ensure that the women have gathered enough capital and savings so they can continue to operate a profitable business even after graduating from the program. Trainees get an opportunity to discuss business issues and external challenges with mentors in the same line of business. All modules are supplemented with hands on exercises, work sheets, real world examples, and group discussions. Social issues, possible challenges and how economic independence can lead to empowerment are also discussed. Business training modules include: simple business concepts, costing, pricing, saving and banking, and creation of a simple business plan. Training is participative, hands on, and in the local language as most women have never been to school and many do not know how to read or write. In addition, most women are single and care for multiple children with few resources.
Upon completion of business training, the women are better equipped to run diverse businesses such as groceries, live chicken, sausages, soft drinks, dress stores, hair salons, photocopying services, used shoes, used clothing etc. Earnings from these businesses help pay for necessities and school expenses. In the short/medium term, there is an improvement in diet and health, fewer missed days from work, higher school attendance, and more children in school. In the long run, there is a reduction in poverty, an improved skill set, higher earnings potential for families, and an improvement in gender inequality.
Thank you for making a significant improvement in the lives of Zambian families.
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