Govt. sets aside K100, 000 worth of soft loans for Kabwe women

Government has set aside K100, 000 to empower vulnerable women in Kabwe District with soft loans to alleviate poverty at household level.

Kabwe District Community Development Officer Annie Siame said in an interview with ZANIS that the loans will be disbursed to individual women under the Village Bank Social Protection Programme.

Ms Siame said the soft loans will range between K500 and K2, 500.

"This empowerment programme is targeting vulnerable but viable women engaged in viable businesses. The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services is committed to alleviating poverty at household level through various social protection programmes," Ms Siame said.

She said the selection process of prospective beneficiaries has already commenced, adding that the social protection programmes are aimed at improving the socio-economic welfare of citizens.

She said the onus is on individual beneficiaries to ensure that they pay back the soft loans within the stipulated time frame so that more people could benefit from such programmes.

Ms Siame added that the Department of Community Development in Kabwe District will equip the beneficiaries of the empowerment programme with entrepreneurship skills.

"Those who will pay back the money within the stipulated time shall be eligible for another loan," Ms Siame said.

Government has continued implementing a number of social protection programmes in Kabwe District under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services aimed at alleviating the suffering of the vulnerable people.

In his national address on Tuesday on the drought situation that has affected the country, President Hakainde Hichilema said the Government will step up efforts in supporting vulnerable citizens through the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.