Amon Lukhele,

Malawi is an agro-based country and most of the population engages in agricultural activities. Women comprise 52% of the total population and form over 70% of agricultural labour . Women also produce 80% of food for consumption. Worse still, climate change has affected agricultural production due to rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns. In order to ensure women benefit from the agricultural activities they undertake, building their capacity to improve productivity is essential. It is also relevant to ensure access to farm inputs and extension services is improved while capacitating them in climate smart agriculture. Land which is a productive resource is not easily accessed, controlled and used by women. As such ensuring that women access such is vital, especially for agricultural purposes. In a bid to improve their economic status, women also venture into small scale businesses. 46% of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises are owned by women compared to 52% for men . Such women in enterprises need to be capacitated to develop further and grow their business in a bid to raise their income level in return. Noting that unemployment rate for females is 26% almost double as compared to that of Males at 14% , improving women’s entrepreneurial skills would facilitate creation of jobs as well facilitate enterprise growth. Existing challenges such as high interest rates, demand for collateral, among others need to be addressed as they hamper women’s access to financial support from financing institutions. Most banks and lending institutions charge interest rates on loans above 40% . NGOCGN plans to focus on a. Improving economic status of women and girls through economic empowerment initiatives a. Improving Access to, control and usage of productive resources and related agricultural inputs and services for women and girls b. Addressing climate change and environmental management through promotion of climate smart agriculture