By Andrew Phiri

Balaka, May 7, Mana: Foundation for Civic Education and Social Empowerment (FOCESE) has committed to equip with vocational skills to over 12,000 female-headed households, mothers of under-five children, survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and adolescent girls in Balaka District.

The Organization’s Project Coordinator, Mercy Chakoma made the pledge Tuesday when presenting the Institution Strengthening project to Balaka District Executive Committee (DEC) with the goal of restoring and empowering the underprivileged groups with entrepreneurial skills in order to uplift their lives.

"The major challenge with female-headed households, mothers of under five children, survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and adolescent girls in our communities is a shortage of financial capacity; hence some people, especially men, who are doing well financially take advantage and harass them in various ways," she said.

According to Chakoma, FOCESE will partner with Technical Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA) to take on board the targeted beneficiaries from the three Group Village Heads (GVHs) under Traditional Authority (T/A) Chamthunya with various life empowering programmes such as tailoring for income generation, homestead farming for nutrition knowledge among others.

She therefore called for a joint effort from all relevant authorities including district council officers, parents, police, chiefs and faith leaders, to work together to protect and uplift the lives of targeted people.

Balaka District Council Gender Development Officer, Scholastica Shaba has commended the initiative considering that many girls and women in Balaka are being victimised resulting from financial challenges.

FOCESE will be implementing the Institution Strengthening Project for one year, 2025, with a tune of K142 million from IM Swedish Southern Africa Development Partners, with the ultimate goals of improving financial and nutrition capacity among the communities in Balaka.