Exploring Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme and its Sustainability Issues: A Case of Chadiza District, Eastern Province, Zambia

Abstract

The study explored women’s economic empowerment programme and assessed its sustainability in Chadiza District of Eastern Province, Zambia. The objectives were firstly, to find out existing programmes for women’s empowerment. Secondly, the study dares to examine how the existing empowerment programmes impacted on the women’s lives. Thirdly, to suggest women’s economic empowerment sustainability strategies. This was a case study analysis and used qualitative and exploratory research method to provide a profound understanding of a research problem. The study sample consisted of 14 participants: 12 women from Ebenezar club and 2 officers from SOS Children’s Villages. Snowball and purposive sampling were used. Data was collected through questionnaires, interview and observation guide. The results of the study were discussed in reference to thematic areas of the findings and they established that empowerment programmes existed in Chadiza and did very well when the project was in implementation. However, sustainability of empowerment programmes was found to be a serious problem. Several issues affected sustainability of the programmes after the project period. As such, the study came up with some strategies, elements and values that would help women sustain empowerment programmes. Furthermore, the study suggested a model that could be employed to help ensure that women’s economic empowerment was properly sustained and bore positive impact. The author anticipated that this study would help politicians, the government, NGOs and even individuals with capacities to allocate and prioritise result oriented, realistic economic empowerment to women and eliminate all negative aspects to guarantee sustainability. The study recommended that the Zambian government should abridge the procedure for accessing CDF, depoliticize and avoid discrimination of who is to access women’s benefits. Monitoring and trainings were also other aspects suggested for effective empowerment activities.