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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Business Correspondent
THE International Labour Organisation (ILO) has availed $60,000 to women groups in two districts in Masvingo province for market gardening and poultry projects, an official has confirmed.

The organisation also donated three motor cycles which will be used by community development officers in supervising the the projects.

Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development provincial officer Joseph Mupinga told Business Chronicle that the money will be disbursed to women groups in Chivi and Gutu districts adding that modalities for its release were being finalised.

He said field officers were already undergoing training to ensure smooth empowerment of communities and employment creation.

About 59 women will benefit from the project in Chivi while Gutu has 50. The women are involved in horticultural business and each group is expected to receive $30,000 payable at a concessionary rate. “Two groups of women from Chivi and Gutu will get $60,000 from ILO for their projects. The money will soon be deposited into our account for disbursement after a few modalities are sorted out. This is a government initiative in partnership with our development partner, ILO,” said Mupinga.

“The Ministry has also assisted 45 women groups through Women Development Fund (WDF). The groups are involved in mining, poultry and peanut butter making. Under this programme, the groups were provided with equipment in place of money.”

He said emphasis was on value addition and creation of employment to ensure communities were self dependent.

Mupinga said involving women in business will steer growth in the economy.