The Embassy of Iceland has expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Empower to Transform initiative in Mangochi under the Go Fund a Girl Child for empowering young women.
With support from the embassy, Go Fund a Girl Child has been providing financial assistance to young women to start and grow small businesses, including tailoring, goat farming and crop production, as part of efforts to strengthen their economic independence.
Girls make clothes. | Ayamba Kandodo
Speaking after visiting beneficiaries in Traditional Authority Bwananyambi in the district, embassy representative Catla Sebastiansdottir Peters said the transformation she observed reflects the impact of investing in young women at community level.
“I am impressed with what I have seen. I am happy to see young girls and women using the grants productively and gathering in safe spaces to discuss issues that empower them with skills to overcome challenges,” she said.
Peters said the initiative has the potential to transform vulnerable girls into productive women capable of changing their communities.
“We, therefore, reiterate our commitment to continue supporting Go Fund a Girl Child to transform more vulnerable girls,” she said.
Go Fund a Girl Child executive director Prudence Chavula said the project is steadily improving livelihoods among vulnerable girls and young women.
“It is gratifying to note that after receiving the grants, the girls have taken the initiative to implement various activities that are transforming their lives,” she said.
Chavula said the initiative follows the disbursement of about K70 million in Phase One grants to girls in six safe spaces.
One of the beneficiaries, Beatrice Lackson from Jiramu Safe Space, whose group received a K6 million grant in the first phase, said the project has helped to reduce cases of child marriage in the area.
During the visit, the Embassy of Iceland representative, accompanied by other officials, also toured Nangapoche Safe Space, where girls are involved in goat rearing activities
