Save the Children Country Director Kim Koch has attributed financial illiteracy to lack of women’s economic empowerment.

Koch addressed the matter at Manyamula Trading Centre in Mzimba, stating that the lack of basic skills and access to capital were some of the barriers that contribute to the perpetuation of poverty in the country. The country director brought up the discussion when Financial Access for Rural Markets, Smallholders and Enterprises (Farmse) disbursed K571, 465,195 to ultra-poor graduation beneficiaries. “We also know that our mindset is often the greatest obstacle to achieving our potential. The Past project will look at these drivers of poverty, investing in mindset change and ensuring that families have capabilities to step out of poverty,” she said.

Funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the Farmse project is providing seed capital to ultra-poor households in selected districts of the country.