Tools for Women's Empowerment, Mozambique

A student at her sewing machine. Photo: Tammi Mott/CWS

Christian Council of Mozambique (CCM)

Sixty women in Maputo, Mozambique's capital, are learning how to sew, with the help of Church World Service and local partner the Christian Council of Mozambique.

Everyone has a right to participate in and benefit from national economic development. However, for most women in Mozambique, they can’t participate because they lack education and skills, employment opportunities and appropriate working conditions, and control over economic resources. The Christian Council of Mozambique, through its support for the Ecumenical Women's Society, is promoting women's empowerment and gender equality, through programs such as sewing classes.

showing work
A young woman showing off an apron she’s made. Photo: Tammi Mott/CWS

The women in the sewing class pay a fee of about $3 to cover their initial materials--thread, cloth, needles, etc.--and attend class for four months. They and their families--about 240 youngsters--will benefit in the long-term from the small initial outlay, as the women learn skills to earn a better income in the future.

To this end, the Ecumenical Women's Society has established a training center on the premises of CCM's national program headquarters. The center is giving livelihood and skill-building access to women through sewing classes and an embroidery course. Until Church World Service provided funds for the purchase of four pedal sewing machines, the Center was operating with only one sewing machine.

These machines mean more women are able to be trained, as CCM allows for three women per machine in its classes.

Supplies are replenished with profits from selling tablecloths, women's wraps, drapes, school uniforms, and other items sewn by the students. The students take home any additional profits made. And, in the off hours, students and ex-students are able to use the machines for a nominal fee, while they get their own small businesses up and running, and begin saving for their own machines.

Support for Church World Service helps make this program possible.

Updated 5/25/2007

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