The CBOs are Nkando in Mulanje and Namulenga in Chiradzulu.

EPM’s advisor Dumisani Ngulube told Zodiak Online that the company supports a significant proportion of people from the two districts through employment hence targeting the two districts with this corporate social responsibility.

“Corporate Social Responsibility is one of our fundamental values at EPM and we are committed to creating value not only for investors, but also for our employees, clients and most importantly the communities that support our operations in Thyolo and Mulanje,” said Ngulube.

He said in view of growing statistics of Gender Based Violence (GBV), EPM has responded with funding support to Community Based Organizations to enable them carry out their programs.

Chairperson of Namulenga CBO Joseph Makhoya said as men they have an obligation to protect women who include their wives from all sorts of abuses.

“In our group we do irrigation farming and Village Saving and Loans and most of the members are women and we will ensure that women get lion’s share from this money to promote their businesses,” said Makhoya.

Her Secretary Anne Kotokwa hopes the donation will help them in promoting their businesses and they will be able to depend on themselves economically which will in turn help them escape GBV in their families.

Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati thanked EPM for supporting the two CBOs in directly fighting GBV.

“This is international month of women and for EPM to bankroll for the women’s businesses, it needs to be applauded. Empowering women economically is a catalyst to fight GBV at household, community and national level,” said Kaliati.

According to Ngulube, the funds will mainly go towards awareness campaigns on GBV.