Scot Gov Announce Funding to Empower Women & Girls in Malawi & Zambia

The first grants to be awarded from the £3million Scottish Government Women and Girls Fund will support women and girl-led organisations in Malawi and Zambia. The Scottish Government say that the funds are designed to enhance women’s representation in politics and decision-making, furthering rights for disabled women and girls and creating gender-inclusive public services.

Ahead of attending an investment roundtable in Blantyre on 19 October, the First Minister announced the funding for women-led businesses, committing over £350,000 this year to the Malawi Investment Programme.

First Minister John Swinney commented: “When it comes to building a better future for women and girls, supporting inclusive education and creating opportunities in business will also be key… the funding will also help empower women, especially in rural areas, through skills development to shape a better future for their families and the community.”

The Scottish Government have said that this year it is providing £264,031 which will be match-funded by National Bank of Malawi Development Bank Limited to create an investment fund for supporting small and medium enterprises in Malawi to access capital for scaling up their businesses, focusing on women-led SMEs as well as investments in renewable energy and climate change.

Through the partnership £100,000 is also being provided in match-funded investment to help establish a micro processing plant at the St Andrews Macadamia Farm in Zomba.

The farm has worked closely with surrounding local communities in Zomba, creating quality jobs, entrepreneurship and leadership training for the Agricultural Community Foundation (ACF) – a women cooperative working in partnership with SAM to empower local women through business and skills development. The Scottish Government’s Women and Girls Fund will deliver grants to women and girl-led organisations across Malawi, Rwanda, and Zambia, aiming to contribute to the delivery of Sustainable Development Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Global research-based consultancy Ecorys, and partners: FAWE Malawi, FAWE Rwanda, and FAWE Zambia, have been appointed by the Scottish Government to design, deliver, and manage the Women and Girls fund. FAWE is a pan-African membership organisation dedicated to empowering girls and women through gender-responsive education across 33 African countries.

Read more: here