Government says it will work to ensure more women, children and vulnerable groups benefit from the country’s social safety nets programmes.
Deputy Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Martha Mzomera Ngwira, said this on Wednesday at Mgawamadzi Village in Senior Chief Chiwere in Dowa, where she monitored enrolment and case management activities under the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) programme.
Ngwira said that despite ongoing empowerment interventions, many citizens still require special support due to old age, extreme poverty or limited productivity caused by different factors.
The Deputy Minister urged beneficiaries to use the funds wisely.
Principal Social Welfare Officer for Dowa, Ndamiwe Msiska, said the programme targets ultra-poor households, particularly female- or child-headed homes, the elderly and persons with disabilities.
“So far, we have 16,832 beneficiaries, but our target is to enrol 19,001 households. The exercise today is part of meeting that target,” Msiska said.
One beneficiary, Khumbize Kachikumba from Chiwandira Village in Senior Chief Chiwere, said the programme will help her address food shortages and other basic needs.
