NGO creates opportunities for youth, women

Officials at Lydia Action, a registered Malawian youthled non-profit organisation, have said they are committed to fostering sustainable development through inclusive community engagement and women’s independence.

Executive Director Thoko Mafubza said their mission is to empower marginalised groups, particularly women, children and youth, by addressing key social, economic and environmental challenges at grassroots level.

She spoke on the sidelines of a three-day training on financial management for women, held in Zomba City.

“Our programmes are rooted in the belief that sustainable change begins with empowered communities. We focus on women’s economic empowerment by supporting them with skills training,” she said.

Mafubza added that they also focus on entrepreneurship initiatives and financial literacy programmes to foster independence and resilience.

“We also focus on menstrual hygiene education by promoting menstrual health awareness and access to hygiene products to help end stigma and improve school attendance among girls,” she said.

Assistant Social Development Officer for Zomba, Elijah Chanza, said this was crucial.

“It is important to have a society where women rely on themselves as it provides a platform for respect from their husbands. They also meet their needs without relying heavily on their husbands and become supportive,” he said.

Trainer Lydia Banda, of Flying Girls Malawi, said the training would empower women by building their confidence to rely on themselves.

“This is also a way to improve how they earn their own money. It is imperative that women are self-reliant,” she said.

A trainee, Sara Madinga, said the training would help her learn from her past failures, thanking the local organisation for the timely support.