CERADI Trains Local Leaders on Mthunzi Forum
CERADI will use the forums to encourage gender equality and engage women and girls in entrepreneurship, vocational skills, and agriculture for income generation and empowerment.
MCHINJI, Malawi- The Center for Research and Development Initiative (CERADI), a local nongovernmental organization based in Mchinji, has embarked on training local leaders on a social accountability forum called Mthunzi to realize the importance of local leaders and village development committees, writes Gerald Fanuel.
"The forum will discuss issues that hinder the participation of women and girls in development activities," said Tambose Phiri, CERADI's executive director.
Through the Women and Girls Empowerment Project, funded by the Global Affairs Committee through the Commonwealth of Learning from Canada, CERADI aims to create a forum where duty-bearers and citizens discuss issues affecting their livelihoods to improve quality of life.
Phiri said citizens currently lack power to influence organizations providing public services, but local leaders should be held accountable to improve service delivery.
According to Phiri, the forum amplifies voices of the voiceless and sensitizes people on gender and livelihood issues for community development.
Lonjezo Chisale, a participant from Mchenga village, said the opportunities are changing lives of dependent women and girls.
She said the forum will improve perspectives on planning community development initiatives.
"The training has helped us change some perspectives on gender, and with the training, many communities will develop for the better," Chisale said.
Jetero Zulu, Nthunzi VDC chairperson from Mfera village, said the training enlightened leaders to be proactive against gender-based violence and give women equal opportunities and voices.
Yona James Chikoya, community development assistant in Pond, said local leaders affect community participation in development.
He told leaders their beliefs and traditions influence development culture and should not conflict with gender issues.
Senior Group Village Head Kapondo welcomed the forum to discuss issues affecting communities.
He highlighted the importance of equal opportunities regardless of gender, as women and girls have improved families through CERADI programs.
CERADI will use the forums to encourage gender equality and engage women and girls in entrepreneurship, vocational skills, and agriculture for income generation and empowerment.