The Coalition of Women Living with HIV and AIDS (COWLHA), with support from the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), is advancing gender justice and women’s active citizenship in Rumphi District, Malawi.
Turning Training into Action
Through the project “Towards Enhancing Gender Justice by Promoting Women Active Citizenship in Rumphi District”, support groups that completed training in Business Management and Leadership have now received start-up materials. This step ensures that knowledge gained is quickly turned into sustainable livelihoods.
Enterprise Start-Up Support
Between 29 September and 11 October 2025, COWLHA reached several clusters across Rumphi District. Business start-up kits were distributed according to each group’s focus:
- Fish selling, bakery, and battery charging groups in Tchalo, Tavisanga, Thekero, Vitumbiko, and Luwuchi
- Soap making groups in Lusani, Mphangala, and Tigwirizane
- Pig, chicken, and goat farming groups in Mwalweni, Mzokoto, Ng’onga, Mbanangwa, Kachulu, and Kajoni
- Mbeya manure production and pig farming groups in Katumbi and Zolokere
- Chicken farming, egg selling, bakery, and pig farming groups in Kasenga, Rumphi, Bolero, and Mphompha
Each group received tools and materials that matched their business plans. As a result, they can immediately put their training into practice.
Women Leading Change
For many women, this marks both a new beginning and the continuation of their leadership and entrepreneurial journeys. Agnes Soko, Chairperson of Bolero Support Group, explained:
“We used to dream of running our own bakery. Today, with the training and the oven we received, we can finally start.”
This initiative goes beyond material support. It focuses on:
- Building women’s confidence to lead and participate in decision-making spaces. For example, support groups in Eastern Rumphi applied their leadership lessons by electing Florence Khimbi and Esther Chinula to positions of Member of Parliament and Ward Councillor.
- Strengthening household and community economies through sustainable enterprises.
- Advancing gender justice by ensuring women have both the skills and resources to thrive.
Sustaining the Impact
COWLHA will continue to provide mentorship, monitoring, and advocacy. This ongoing support will help the enterprises grow and ensure women’s voices are heard in leadership spaces.
Together with AWDF and community partners, COWLHA is showing that when women are equipped with knowledge and resources, they do more than build businesses. They build stronger, more inclusive communities.
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