EU gives NGOCC One million Euros grant

Non-Governmental Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has bemoaned that efforts to change the status of women in Zambia over the years have continued to be frustrated by a number of legal impediments, inadequate political will and resources among others.

Speaking during the launch of the one million Euros European Union Grants award and project implementation to implemented over the next 3 years in Lusaka this morning, NGOCC Board Chairperson Sara Longwe says the key planning and resource allocation instruments of the government developed so far are generally gender blind despite the existing and visible inequity and inequality between women and men in Zambia.

Ms. Longwe explained that the EU Project is aimed at contributing to the socio economic empowerment of women especially in rural Zambia for gender equity and equality.

She says the action is anchored on three specific objectives which are to influence the review and implementation of legal reforms and policies by 2019, promote social and economic empowerment of rural women and youths in projects areas by 2019 and empowering member organizations to secure increased access to sexual reproductive health services and facilities for women and girls aged 15 to 49.

Ms. Longwe has further urged the 35 grants beneficiary organizations to ensure the resources are used for the intended purposes.

And European Union representative Fabiena Van Den Eede says the EU looks forward to seeing concrete outcomes of the beneficiaries’ works.

She says it’s hoped that the grant will make a difference in the work that NGOCC is doing in empowering women.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*