Soyo:One hundred and fifty women fish processors in the municipality of Soyo, Zaire province, have commenced a training course on fish processing and family skills. This initiative, launched on Monday, is promoted by the Ministry of Social Action, Family and Women's Promotion (MASFAMU).
According to Angola Press News Agency, the three-day training is designed to enhance the economic empowerment of women and the development of family skills. Santa Ernesto, the National Director for Family Policies, emphasized that empowering women economically leads to financial stability for families, improving their professional activities and increasing income.
The training addresses issues such as poor hygiene and inadequate fish handling, which compromise product quality and profitability. Ernesto highlighted the importance of equipping fish processors with the necessary knowledge to improve preservation and handling techniques. This includes utilizing by-products like offal in the production of fishmeal and fertilizers, thereby reducing waste and mitigating public health risks associated with improper disposal.
In terms of family skills, the training encourages women to pursue entrepreneurial initiatives that foster financial autonomy, resource management, and family savings, independent of external funding or incentives. The initiative also aims to empower women to assume leadership roles within their communities.
Supported by the National Agency for Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels (ANPG), the project extends beyond Soyo across other regions in the country. It collaborates with institutions such as the National Institute for Support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (INAPEM), and various ministries, including Health, Agriculture and Forestry, Fisheries and Marine Resources, and the Environment.
José Russo Filipe, the deputy municipal administrator of Soyo for the Technical Area, Infrastructure and Community Services, assured that efforts to improve fish processing plant conditions will continue. Additionally, a mini-market for these professionals is expected to open soon in the riverside area of the city center, known as Parque Toni Nkoba.
