The Government of Zambia invested in economic empowerment initiatives. Being the majority of people living in poverty, women were the target audience for these funds, and yet, very few were applying for these grants. The Kasama Municipal Council in Northern Province who were trained by the Partners for Municipal Innovation-Women in Local Leadership project on Gender Based Analysis (GBA) and gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), recognized the disconnect between the grants and the potential grantees. They embarked on a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering women economically through adult literacy classes and skills training, born out of their commitment to gender equality and social inclusion.
The economic empowerment funds required written applications. Poor literacy levels meant the target recipients couldn’t read the guidelines or complete the applications. The council crafted a detailed plan for adult literacy classes and skills training sessions for women, aiming to supporting them with basic reading, writing, and numeracy skills. Trained instructors lead the classes, employing interactive and participatory teaching methods to ensure effective learning. The adult literacy classes resulted in a significant increase in literacy rates among women in Kasama. Participants have reported feeling more confident in their ability to read, write, and perform basic mathematical calculations, which has empowered them to engage more actively in many aspects of their lives.
In parallel, skills training sessions have been launched to enhance women’s employability and entrepreneurial abilities, covering topics like tailoring and agriculture entrepreneurship. The council used funds (K20,000 cash and K25,000 in kind) received for LGAZ’s Local Government Awards of Excellence (LGAE) to procure sewing machines. The tailoring training has equipped women with valuable practical skills. While some women have started their own businesses, others have formed cooperatives to leverage collective strengths.
The participants who received training stated that they have now found it easier to apply for grants and loans under the Common Development Fund.
Kasama Municipal Council’s introduction of adult literacy classes and skills training exemplifies a commitment to applying the knowledge gained from PMI-WILL capacity development initiatives for partner local authorities. By investing in the council staff capacity on gender and social inclusion, the council can design and implement initiatives addressing women’s specific needs within the community. Sustaining and expanding these efforts are crucial for ongoing progress towards integration of gender equality and social inclusion into local development schemes.