Nsanje Women Grind Stones to Fight Poverty, Seek Market Stability
Nyale Lino, leader of the women from Makwalo village under Traditional Authority Mbenje, said they took up the trade after men abandoned it, deeming it unprofitable.
NSANJE, Malawi— Women in Nsanje district, Malawi, are venturing into the male-dominated stone grinding business to combat financial challenges, despite limited market access and health concerns, writes Cornelius Lupenga.
Nyale Lino, leader of the women from Makwalo village under Traditional Authority Mbenje, said they took up the trade after men abandoned it, deeming it unprofitable.
"We saw that men had left the trade, so we decided to take the risk of grinding stones," Lino said.
However, a lack of established markets poses a significant hurdle, according to Judith Matias, a member of the group.
"We don't sell in bulk because there are no markets," Matias told AfricaBrief.
"A bucket of 20 liters of quarry stones goes for K500 to K600, which is not enough for the work involved."
She added that the few customers they have force them to pool their stones to afford basic necessities like maize.
Another concern raised by Chrissie Finias is the health risk associated with the work.
"We work without any protective gear, exposing ourselves to dust," she said.
"Sometimes, we even get injured in the fingers while grinding."
Group Village Head Makwalo acknowledged the women's initiative but expressed concern about their limited market access.
"They could do much better if they had established markets," he said.
"The little they earn helps them support themselves and their families."
The women's resilience and resourcefulness in seeking alternative income sources are commendable.
However, their story highlights the challenges faced by many Malawians, particularly in rural areas, where limited market opportunities and inadequate safety measures can hinder their ability to improve their livelihoods.