VISITING Swedish State Secretary for Development and Cooperation Diana Janse has urged women under the Chikondi saving group to pass on the knowledge of saving to their children.

Ms Janse was speaking in Chongwe district when she met the Chikondi Women Saving Group that has been supported with a productivity grant under the Supporting Women livelihood (SWL) program.

She expressed happiness at how the program has impacted women through the various businesses they are doing.

“It is good that the grant is changing lives not only for the women, but for the entire household as we have heard from the testimonies,” She said.

Chongwe District Commissioner, Evans Lupiya said empowering women through the Supporting Women livelihood (SWL) Program and formation of saving groups has seen a reduction in Gender Based Violence (GBV) among couples in the district.

Dr Lupiya said the government reaffirms its commitment to empowering women and promoting their economic independence.

He thanked Co-operating partners such as the Swedish government that are supporting the government’s efforts in uplifting the living stands of vulnerable people.

Chongwe District Community Development Officer, Eunice Zulu, said over 1000 women have benefited from the productivity grant where each person benefited K3,790 as startup capital.

Ms Zulu further said women have also been trained in entrepreneurship to help them run their businesses effectively.

She said the women have ventured into various businesses such as chicken rearing, Brick laying, Vegetable selling, Hair dressing, Grocery business and Fish selling among others.

Julian Zulu, a beneficiary thanked Co-operating partners that boosted her Chicken bran business.

“From this business I managed to roof my house,” she said.

The meeting was also attended by Swedish Ambassador to Zambia Mr Johan Hallenborg.