Organisation empowers women, girls with disabilities in Lilongwe

Malawi Human Rights for Women and Girls with Disabilities, a non-governmental organisation, says it is important for women and girls with disabilities to be economically empowered.

The organisation’s national coordinator Stella Nkhonya Chisangwala made the remarks on Saturday in Lilongwe during a mentorship programme for women and girls with disabilities.

Among others, the training aimed at strengthening the capacity of women and girls with disabilities to end gender-based violence (GBV) and enhancing their understanding of sexual reproductive health and rights.

She said: “Women and girls with disabilities face various challenges in life, including GBV and what we want is for them to have the voice.

“They need to know what haunts them and how can they tackle such issues. A woman who is financially stable is better off and safe from GBV.”

Chisangwala said they have  helped many women and girls with disabilities to stand on their own financially and through coordination, they accessed a loan from the National Economic Empowerment Fund which has helped them with business capital.

She said: “One thing they have learnt from their weekly meetings in their areas is to speak up when violence occurs, where to report and how to report. We thank the African Women Development Fund for religiously supporting us in helping women with disabilities to be advocates of change in their communities.”

One of the participants from Kaliyeka area in Lilongwe, Mphatso Phiri said she was forced to marry at a tender age and the husband used to abuse her both verbally and physically.

She said: “I dropped out of school when I was in Standard Seven due to poverty. I was then forced to marry a man who was a bit older than me. He used to beat me. But through this organisation, I managed to end the marriage and I am an independent single mother of four.”

The organisation 150 women and girls members with disabilities who have been empowered socioeconomically in its three impact areas in Lilongwe District.