Ndalatando - The Minister for Social Action, Family and Promotion of Woman (MASFAMU), Ana Paula do Sacramento Neto, on Wednesday in Cuanza Norte, highlighted female empowerment as a key factor for the country's sustainable development.
Speaking at the closing of the National Day for Women in Rural Areas celebrated on October 15, Ana Paula Neto said the government's commitment to strengthen the country's development through the promotion of gender equality policies, empowering women and strengthening human rights.
These efforts, the minister said, are reflected in the strategies for specific programs implementation to reduce poverty in families, promote employment and income-generating activities.
Ana Neto highlighted the government's commitment to encourage families to set up small and medium-sized businesses, training women to create associations and cooperatives for processing and transforming agricultural products, raising small animals, apiculture, arts and crafts, as well as dressmaking and sewing.
With these actions, the minister explained, the government intends to widen families' access to basic essential services, strengthen support for citizens with special needs, ensure technical aids and means of mobility, as well as productive inclusion and social cash transfers.
Ana Paula Neto said the Angolan government has relied on the partnership of the World Bank, commercial banks, specialized agencies and civil society organizations to conduct these projects.
According to the minister, these strategies have promoted female empowerment, increased equal opportunities between men and women and eliminated discriminatory barriers against women.
The activity included an agricultural fair marked by the exhibition of various products from the countryside grown by women organized in farmers' associations and cooperatives in the province's 10 municipalities.
The event was attended by various entities from the provincial government, MASFAMU, representatives of the United Nations Food Fund and peasant women and guests.
Held under the motto “Promoting the sustainable growth of women in rural areas to combat hunger and poverty”, the event marks the end of the National Day for Women in Rural Areas celebrated on October 15 (Women in Rural Areas Day), October 16 (World Food Day) and October 17 (International Day to Combat Hunger and Poverty). LJ/IMA/YD/AMP
