Strengthening Women empowerment through Open Market Activities in Katima Mulilo

The Katima Mulilo Town Council (KMTC) has just completed its five year Local Economic Development (LED) Strategy aimed at guiding Economic Development activities to ensure proper coordination, inclusive participation of stakeholders and in particular women groups for the purpose of maximizing the anticipated benefits.
During the strategy development, extensive consultations were done among local communities including women groups.
During these consultations the main strengths and opportunities as well as the challenges and threats the town faces were established.
Poverty and unemployment are seen as the main challenges by the KMTC and the belief is that the best tool for improving living conditions is through LED.
The Katima Mulilo Open Market since its inauguration in 2007 has been host to a large number of women who are trading in various areas including: Textile, Fat Cakes/Vet-Koek, Hoti-culture, Dry fish and fresh fish, Tobacco, Dairy, Fresh meat, Fast Food, Restaurant, Barbecue, Traditional food, Carpentry, Jewellery and Hand bags, African materials / Shitenges, Art and craft, Firewood, Hair Dressing and Barbershops.
A satellite market at the recently formalized settlement of Choto has been opened.
This was developed in partnership with a local investor.
The market has over 250 stalls.
Vendors who have secured these stalls are trading in a variety of product markets

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