By Ben Bamusi

Thyolo, October 14, Mana: Women in Thyolo District have praised the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) for empowering them to take on decision-making roles within community-level committees that oversee catchment conservation efforts.

37 years old Malita Stafford told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Monday that it was a great honour for her to be a member of Chovuta Cluster committee which oversees Mkuzi Thomas catchment’s activities.

She added that being in the management committee gave her a newfound influence in her community over issues of environmental conservation.

“Before the programme, roles related to environmental conservation were mostly left to men, many of whom were hesitant to act in their positions.

"Now, as a cluster committee member for Chovuta Cluster, I am part of those that make decisions. I encourage my fellow women to actively participate in climate-smart activities,” said Stafford.

She said she was proud to represent women in her community, using her position to ensure women’s voice is heard.

“I’m the only woman in this committee, but my leadership role allows me to advocate for women interests and influence decisions that benefit women,” Stafford added.

Another participant from the same catchment, Chrissy Wajomba said many women in the area were able to have a say on how household finances should be managed as a result of CS-EPWP orientation on gender roles,

“Women were unable to contribute financially at household level. We had no say on issues of finances at household level. We were not part of decision making.

“Now that we are earning an income out of CS-EPWP activities, we can now influence how resources should be used," said Wajomba.

She added that in her participation in CS-EPWP activities, she was elected as Disaster Committee member in her village.

Wajomba said her position also help her to advocate for women inclusion and participation in climate smart related activities.

Group Village head (GVH) Samson said CS-EPWP has proven that women were capable of leading and taking responsibility in community level decision making structures.

“When women are elected into leadership positions, their inclusion benefit fellow women and the entire community because they prioritise real needs of the vulnerable population” said GVH Samson.

Thyolo District Gender Officer, Gerald Zgambo said there was need to equip women with leadership skills, adding that participation of women in the CS-EPWP activities will help raise awareness on catchment management and other climate-smart related practices.

"This not only benefits the programme but also strengthens community participation in catchment management,” he said.

The CSPWP which is being implemented with funding from the World Bank and the Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund has seen an enrolment of 9,676 women in Thyolo representing 54.3% of the programme’s participants.