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Women in businesses
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EMPOWERING WOMEN
The HIV/AIDS epidemic has decimated the adult male population in
Malawi. Women and young adults are not only the heads of
households, but also leaders of entire villages. Some families are
comprised entirely of orphans. Surviving young women, Mothers and
Grandmothers, many of whom have HIV, are caring for their own
children as well as orphans of their families and friends.
When my brother, Luke and I were visiting various villages in Malawi,
we asked dozens of women the types of businesses they would start
if they had the opportunity. These are some of their responses:
- Carpentry/Building improvement
- Tailoring/Clothes making
- Raising small livestock
- Transporting people and product with bicycle and
wheelbarrow
- Basket weaving
- Plumbing/Irrigation
- Fishing
- Farming for sale and sustenance
These are not extravagant enterprises. Small loans of $50 - $75
USD will enable these women to start a business enterprise that can
improve their lives and the lives of their extended family. The micro-
loan program is designed to empower women to:
 | | Jump start commerce
| | | Teach traditional and non-traditional enterprises
| | | Improve the community by providing needed services
| | | Promote self-reliance and economic independence to care for | | | the HIV/Aids orphans in their care
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Programs such as these are working well in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Women are often relegated to
traditional domestic duties
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