Malawi Rumphi –Women in areas of Mzokoto and Mphompha have commended the CCJP- Mzuzu Diocese Land Rights for Women Project for supporting to secure land tenure for organic farming, which has led to an enhanced economic empowerment, improved household food security, and greater self-reliance.
The women expressed these sentiments on 14thJanuary 2025 during the issuance of customary Land titles to the 73 women (project beneficiaries) at Mzokoto T/A Mwankhunikila.
CCJP- Mzuzu Diocese Coordinator, Felix Manda explained the project focuses on securing customary land titles for the marginalized women (divorced widows, single mothers and unmarried girls). Manda added that in Rumphi the project targets to support 100 more women in addition to the 73 women who have already secured their land.
The project also empowers women to apply agro-ecological and organic farming methods to realize their rights to food and social economic development.
Northern Region Deputy Director for Quality Assurance in the Ministry of Lands, Ruth Banda appreciated the efforts of CCJP in Mzuzu diocese for helping the government to implement a new Customary Land Act that empowers citizens to secure their land hence protecting it from being sold to strangers.
The Director of Social Development, who is also the Vicar general of Mzuzu Diocese, Fr Isaac John Katumbi complemented the development saying that the Diocese is pleased with the outcome of the project and its impact as this transformation of women’s lives is within the Mzuzu Diocese goal of achieving a holistic evangelization of both spiritual and social- economic development of people in the diocese.
Cecilia Nyasulu who got divorced and returned to her parents’ home is one of the beneficiaries of the project. Her life has greatly transformed as she is able to farm a variety of crops and sale some. From the profit realized through sale of extra produce, Nyasulu is able to pay school fees for her secondary school child.
Land Rights for women project implemented in Mzuzu diocese is funded by Misereor in Germany, aims at empowering women specifically widows and divorced to have access land to Land for organic farming, breaking the northern region’s cultural belief that ownership of land belongs to men.