Empowering Women and Transforming Communities: Domwe Active Youth Organization's Endeavour
Since its inauguration in 2022, the project has left an indelible impact on the lives of over 2000 women, illuminating pathways to personal growth and community enhancement.
BLANTYRE, Malawi — In the heart of Lunzu, Blantyre, a youth organisation is championing a transformative movement aimed at empowering women and combating the deeply rooted menace of gender-based violence prevalent in rural communities, writes Happy Valirani.
Domwe Active Youth Organization's unwavering commitment has given rise to a comprehensive women's empowerment program, encompassing essential business management and vocational skills training to foster economic independence and resilience among women.
Dubbed Timveni Amayi, this year-long initiative is currently underway across 13 villages under the jurisdiction of Group Village Headman Mtotela, Traditional Authority Makata in Blantyre.
The project's realisation has been made possible through crucial funding from Art and Global Health Centre Africa (ArtGlo), operating under the 'Make Arts for Women's Activism' (MAWA) initiative, a brainchild of ArtGlo.
Since its inauguration in 2022, the project has left an indelible impact on the lives of over 2000 women, illuminating pathways to personal growth and community enhancement.
Kachale Kainga, the Executive Director of Domwe Active Youth Organisation, elaborated on the comprehensive approach undertaken.
The activities encompass stakeholder engagement, community awareness campaigns featuring sporting events and extensive walks, business and financial skills training, dialogue circles, and team-building sessions tailored to women aged 18 to 40.
Kainga elucidated the essence of Timveni Amayi, saying, "Our project's foundation was laid with the intent to combat the alarming prevalence of violence targeting women within our region. Leveraging participatory arts, we seek to encourage men to actively support women's participation in socio-economic activities and their access to essential family planning services."
The genesis of the project sprung from a poignant realisation: married women often found themselves marginalized, devoid of family planning services, and financial autonomy.
Deep-seated cultural norms perpetuated this unjust status quo, catalysing the need for transformative intervention.
"Cultural stereotypes deeply ingrained in our society have constrained the autonomy and decision-making power of married women regarding family planning and financial matters. Our project aspires to challenge and change these harmful stereotypes," Kainga emphasised.
Tina Manduwa, a participant in the empowerment training, warmly endorsed the program's positive impact.
She shared her sentiment, stating, "The project has revolutionised our lives by equipping us with invaluable business skills. Moreover, our husbands have gained a newfound understanding of shared decision-making on family planning and the significance of empowering women in income-generating activities."
Another beneficiary, Losalia Mdala, echoed Manduwa's viewpoint, emphasising the crucial role of awareness meetings in equipping women to confront and report gender-based violence.
The initiative has led to transformative change, extending even to men like Patrick Banda, who emerged as exemplars of positive transformation in the Domwe village.
Banda shared his thoughts, noting, "Information wields immense power, and this project has reshaped the mindset of individuals across the Domwe and Makata areas. Domwe Active Youth Organisation has indeed fulfilled a commendable role in educating communities about the perils of gender-based violence and various aspects of life."
The endeavour, like many projects in the country, faces financial hurdles following the gradual phase-out of ArtGlo's funding. Presently, it relies on members' contributions to maintain operations.
Nonetheless, Kainga remains optimistic, counting on the support of benevolent individuals to sustain the initiative's remarkable transformation among both men and women.
The Domwe Active Youth Organization's Timveni Amayi initiative stands as a testament to the potential of education, empowerment, and community involvement in driving positive change.
By confronting gender-based violence and nurturing financial autonomy among women, the project envisions a future of equity and prosperity.