Maputo, 3 Mar (AIM) – The Canadian Government intends to invest 13 million US dollars in Mozambique to empower 2,500 rural women over six years.
According to Ashaf Hassanein, head of Canadian cooperation, the investment programme intends to reduce the level of vulnerability of rural women in order that they may contribute to the development of their communities.
“For Canada, which has an international feminist policy, the economic empowerment of women and girls is crucial. We want to extend our support to communities and families, through education and promotion of sexual and reproductive health”, said Hassanein, cited in Friday’s issue of the Maputo daily “Notícias.”
He was speaking during the visit of Canadian Assistant Deputy Minister for Global Affairs, Patricia Peña, to Mozambique, in the context of the Project for the Empowerment of Rural Women, under way since last year in Marracuene and Manhiça districts, in Maputo Province; and Guija, Chokwe and Manjacaze, in the neighbouring province of Gaz.
“We are impressed because the beneficiaries of agricultural material are boosting the trade of products, especially sweet potato”, Hassanein said.
The source also said that the programme is empowering women with modern techniques of production and productivity.
“We may extend the projects of support to cooperatives but especially taking into account food security”, he stressed.
(AIM)
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