The project, launched in February this year, involves a group of 20 women who are working with the support of five men from Ward 25 in Mutoko South. They have 300 birds and take turns to feed the chicks and clean the fowl runs.
A total of 15 wards in Mutoko, Kariba, Tsholotsho and Chipinge, co-ordinated by local authorities, are now benefiting from the project.
Civic Forum for Human Development Co-ordinator, Sam Chaikosa, says that besides transforming the lives of rural women, the project also serves as a platform for discussion on developmental issues and conflict resolution among villagers.
Platform
“Projects of this nature are critical. It is our hope that they will enhance the livelihood of villagers. We hope that his project will promote social skills and act as a platform for villagers to address and manage conflicts in their area. The projects also centres around learning and understanding local governance issues,” said Chaikosa.
Chaikosa believes that it is critical to give rural women the resources needed to enhance their financial status and their capacity to contribute effectively to developmental issues in their areas. This will hopefully help to alleviate abuse and discrimination against women in society.
“Programmes like the one in Mutoko are people-centred and go a long way to resolving issues like the abuse of women. When women have their own source of livelihood, it enhances their status in society and gives them the capacity to contribute towards various issues affecting society,” said Chaikosa.
Promoting peace
Mutoko South Ward 25 Councillor, Shingirayi Mwenye, says the poultry project had achieved much success in promoting peace in the area. She commended those men who have shown support for the women as both men and women now have the opportunity to discuss and resolve issues that affect their society.
“In the past, most of the women now involved in the project had no source of income. This project has brought significant benefits. Presently our market is local, but we hope to access markets outside of Mutoko in time to come,” said Mwenye.
A beneficiary of the project, Portia Mapisa (31) said “As women, we need the capacity to assist our husbands in taking care of our families and this project gives us the capacity to do that. Gone are the days when we had to rely on our husbands for financial support. We are very grateful for this project because it has empowered us rural women.”
Tanaka Mlambo (35) one of the men involved in the poultry project says projects of this nature should be expanded to assist a larger number of people.
“This project has helped to transform the lives of rural people and it is our wish that it be expanded to help as many people as possible. We are happy that the poultry project is bringing together people from various backgrounds. This has helped to create a sense of unity among the villagers,” said Mlambo.
Post published in: Agriculture