CMS-Africa has equipped 62 women in Kindu, #DRC with business, and financial management skills to help them start and run small business to increase food security within their households.
The five-day training under CMS-Africa’s Women Empowerment Programme (WeP) was conducted at the Beroya Bible College, Maniema Region, and aimed to address the marginalization of women in household decision-making, often tied to their perceived lack of financial contribution.
According to the World Bank Group, Congolese women face significant barriers to economic opportunities and empowerment, including high rates of gender-based violence (GBV) and discrimination, with only 16.8% of women having completed secondary school in the world’s 15th most populous country, with over 110million people.
Speaking during the training, CMS-Africa’s WeP trainer Byamungu Kisangani affirmed that the business development and financial management skills will enable the women create income sources, helping improve their household incomes.
“Women need business skills in order to alleviate poverty. These skills will transform and economically empower them to increase their self-esteem in their households,” said Kisangani.
One of the participants, Mrs. Amunazo Frascisca thanked CMS-Africa for the training, noting that the sessions have enabled her discover how to better manage her finances and create investments.
“Through this training I have been able to discover my lifetime goal, and the centrality of God in wealth creation. I have also discovered how to reduce my family expenses, and make savings for family investment.”
The training saw the women organize themselves into six women church-based saving groups which will be coordinated by the office of the Mothers’ Union within the Anglican Church, Kindu Diocese, with a long-term goal of forming a women’s cooperative within the next five years.
CMS-Africa is committed to building resilient, economically empowered communities, and sharing the love of Christ across the world.