Economic Empowerment

Source: All Africa
WOMEN have been encouraged to join small groups and start income generating projects to improve their standard of living.

This was said on Monday by wives of government leaders who visited Equal Opportunities For All Trust Fund (EOTF) pavilion hosting women small and medium entrepreneurs at the ongoing 36th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair(DITF).

Mrs Aisha Bilal, the wife of the Vice-President Dr Mohammed Gharib Bilal, commended women exhibiting their locally made products, noting that these women should be emulated by those still contemplating on business ideas.

"I am impressed with what I have seen, the products are very good and of high quality, more women should join the entrepreneurship sector and start their own businesses to improve their standard of living," she explained. Mrs Bilal urged Tanzanians to cultivate a culture of buying locally made products which do not have harmful chemicals, compared to imported products.

"There is the need for extensive awareness campaigns so that Tanzanians can develop a culture of buying locally made products, which do not contain harmful chemicals," Mrs Bilal explained. Mrs Germina Lukuvi, the wife of Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (Policy, Coordination and Parliamentary Affairs) Mr William Lukuvi was impressed by the good quality and beautiful packaging of the products produced by women groups.

"The beautiful packaging has for sure increased the value of the products by women groups. More women should come out and get into such income generating projects to contribute to the country's economy and most importantly to boost their own living standards," she explained.

Others who visited the women pavilion include Mrs Zakia Bilal, another wife of the vice-president, Mama Sitti Mwinyi, a former first lady and the Tanzania Aid Commission (TACAIDS) Executive Chairperson Dr Fatma Mrisho and Mrs Esther Federick Sumaye, wife of former Prime Minister Frederick Sumaye. Former first lady, Mama Anna Mkapa, is the chairperson of the Equal Opportunity for All Trust Fund (EOTF).