NICE stamps women as critical to community development

National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust has suggested that development partners should promote women participation in decision making positions on community level.

The expectation is that this will create room for more women to be part of policy making on various community initiatives.

Area civic education coordinator at NICE Trust – Blantyre Urban, Dick Makhura observed that women have been showing interest in development initiatives.

Through community engagements and civic education, communities around Blantyre urban and rural have been able to undertake development activities without the interventions of government authorities.

“Women have been at the forefront in mobilizing their fellow members to construct bridges and road maintenance without requiring the intervention of district council officials. This tells you that communities can be independent,” Makhura narrated.

The organization also acknowledges the critical role which elder women play in local area development.

Makhura added saying: “We have worked with elderly women who have been giving direction on how development activities can be run independently without involving government officials. This is why women need to be empowered more.”

According to a publication by Capital Hill’s development partner, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) despite their critical role in food production for their households, Malawian women lack of access to productive economic resources which is a major impediment women’s empowerment.