By Burnett Munthali
Community Care Trust (CCT) has launched the Ladies Power Initiative in Lilongwe, an empowerment programme designed to equip women with practical vocational and entrepreneurial skills to help them build independent livelihoods and improve their families’ financial security.
In a press statement, CCT Founder and Chief Executive Officer Georgina Lowole said the initiative would address the barriers that prevent many women from turning their abilities into sustainable sources of income.
“Many women have the potential to become economically independent, but they lack access to practical training, equipment and the resources needed to start businesses,” Lowole said.
The programme will train participants in tailoring, sewing, garment construction, clothing design and baking. It will also provide lessons in personal presentation, hygiene, entrepreneurship and basic business management.
CCT wants participants to gain more than technical knowledge. The organisation intends to help women apply their skills, establish small businesses, generate income and become financially self-reliant.
Lowole said the initiative would connect skills development with practical economic opportunities, enabling women to use their talents to improve their livelihoods.
The programme also recognises that training alone cannot guarantee business success. Participants need appropriate equipment, start-up capital, access to markets and continued support to turn their newly acquired skills into viable enterprises.
To address these needs, CCT has appealed to individuals, companies, development organisations and well-wishers to support the initiative financially and materially.
The organisation is seeking sewing machines, fabrics, baking equipment, training materials, financial assistance, support for trainers and start-up resources for participating women.
CCT believes that providing women with the right skills and resources can strengthen entire households and communities by improving incomes, supporting children’s welfare and creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
The initiative also reflects Malawi’s wider efforts to expand women’s participation in economic activities. The National Action Plan on Women’s Economic Empowerment for 2025–2030 identifies financial inclusion, livelihood security and economic independence as important priorities.
The World Bank has also highlighted barriers facing Malawian women, including limited access to finance, productive assets and business opportunities, reinforcing the need for practical interventions that support women entrepreneurs.
CCT works in areas including women’s empowerment, youth and girl-child development, human rights, civic education and safe motherhood.
Through the Ladies Power Initiative, the organisation hopes to help women move from economic dependence towards self-reliance by combining vocational training with entrepreneurial knowledge and access to essential resources.
The programme’s success will ultimately depend on whether participants receive the equipment, financial backing and market opportunities needed to turn their skills into lasting businesses.
CCT is therefore calling on potential partners and well-wishers to invest in the initiative and help more women build sustainable sources of income.
Editorial note: The quotation attributed to Lowole is a polished rendering of the substance of the supplied press statement, not a verified verbatim quotation. Confirm her exact words before publication, or retain the statement in indirect speech.
