Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Felister Mdemu, has urged women to pursue economic empowerment while continuing to uphold strong family values and proper child upbringing.
Speaking during a training session in Iringa Region on the establishment and strengthening of women’s economic empowerment platforms, Mdemu said women have a key role in improving household incomes while ensuring children are raised with good morals and discipline.
The training, held at Kipaduka Village in Uhambingeto Ward, Kilolo District, brought together councillors and leaders of women’s economic empowerment platforms from different wards across the region.
Mdemu said the initiative reflects the vision of Samia Suluhu Hassan to economically empower women through financial literacy, entrepreneurship skills, technology use, and improved access to loans and markets.
She said women should actively participate in the platforms and organise themselves into groups to avoid missing economic opportunities due to limited information or weak coordination.
Mdemu also called on councillors to strengthen cooperation with financial institutions, private sector stakeholders and development experts to expand economic opportunities for women in their communities.
Speaking on behalf of councillors and platform leaders, Special Seats Councillor for Kilolo Division, Julieth Mkolongo, said local leaders were committed to implementing the recommendations to ensure women benefit from economic empowerment programmes.
Some participants said the training had equipped them with skills that would help them manage their groups more effectively, increase income and improve family welfare.
