THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF MALAWI

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL NEEDS

INVESTIGATION ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

ACTIVITIES AT DISABLED WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT (DIWODE) –CHIRIMBA –
BLANTYRE.

BY

ALEX CHITSANTHI

(BEDSN/NE/2019/0345)

A dissertation submitted to the faculty of education, in partial fulfillment of requirement for the award
of Bachelor of Special Needs Education degree.

CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF MALAWI

 SNE3201: RESEARCH METHODS IN SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION AND INCLUSIVE
EDUCATION

DECLARATION

I, the undersigned declare that this is my own work and that it has never been presented at any
university for academic purposes. All sources used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged
by means of complete references.

ALEX CHITSANTHI

…………………………………..

Date……………………………….
SUPERVISOR’S STATEMENT OF APPROVAL

This Dissertation is submitted with my approval

Signature: ______________________________

Mr. Joseph Kuphazi - Supervisor

Date: _____________________

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT:

Signature: ______________________________

Date: _____________________

DEAN OF FACULTY

Signature: ______________________________

Date: _____________________
 DEDICATION

I dedicate this work to my family and all women with disabilities in Malawi. May God bless you all.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This work could not have been completed without the cooperation of many people who directly or
indirectly helped me during the preparation of this dissertation. First and foremost, I would like to give
my gratefulness and thanks to God as my first priority who enabled me to complete this study.

Heartfelt thanks to my beloved Mother and Father for believing in me, they never gave up on me, all
the love, encouragement and financial support. Things weren’t always well but you provided for me,
through thick and thin you were and are always there, I cannot thank you enough. My Super Woman
best friend!

Deep gratitude should go to my awesome supervisor Mr. Joseph Kuphazi for your endless support,
encouragement, suggestions, advice, patience and understanding in shaping this work to its present
form. Special thanks should go to Mr. Lazarus Thomu and all my lectures in the Special Needs
Education Department, who worked together with my supervisor in giving me advice, guidance and
encouragement for me to complete this work.

To my classmates, it wasn’t easy but all your help and presence made everything easy. Special thanks
to Thee squad! Raphael Chikwapula, Aubrey Theu (study baddie), Annie Jonga (chintanga), Tamia
Kabango and the rest of the class thank you.

Lastly to all friends who helped and contributed to my academic life and all who supported me and my
work I am thankful. To you Lumbani kalowekamo, Khama, Hope Million, Luke tukula, just to mention
a few, thank you for your support, encouragement and understanding “Basitu zatheka”.
 ABSTRACT

This study focused on investigation on the effectiveness of economic empowerment activities at

disabled women in development. In order to achieve the main objective, the study used the specific
objectives: to identify the economic empowerment activities implemented by DIWODE, to evaluate the
economic empowerment activities implemented by DIWODE, and to determine ways of improving the
economic empowerment activities for women with disabilities. This study used a case study design by
the use of interviews and observation in order to investigate the effectiveness of economic
empowerment activities at disabled women in development. The findings however have shown that
there are different types of economic empowerment activities that are provided to the women with
disabilities, for example baking, tailoring, mushroom production and animal farming such as pig
farming. The study has also evaluated the economic empowerment activities implemented by
DIWODE, so much so that there is communication breakdown from both stake holders and some
women with disabilities that have visual impairment or hearing impairment during the vocational
training process because there are no experts of sign language in the organization, hence they wait to
hire an expert from another organization. However, it is very important for the organization to have
stake holders who are well trained specialists, so much so that there can be easy communication
between the mentors and the women with disabilities during vocational training.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Declaration ………………………………………………………………………………….i

Certificate Of Approval …………………………………………………………………….ii

Dedication ………………………………………………………………………………… iii

Acknowledgment …………………………………………………………………………….iv

Abstract …………………………………………………………………………………… v

Table of Contents ……………………………………………………………………vi

List of Tables ………………………………………………………………………………vii

Abbreviations…………………………………………………………………………viii

List of Figures …………………………………………………………………………ix

Chapter One ………………………………………………………………………… 1

1.1 Background …………………………………………………………………………………. 1

1.2 Problem Statement ………………………………………………………………………….. 2

1.3 Purpose of the study………………………………………………………………………… 3

1.4 Main Objective………………………………………………………………………… 3

1.5 Specific Objective …………………………………………………………………………3

1.6 Significance of the Study …………………………………………………………………………3

1.7 Justification of the Study…………………………………………………………………… 4

1.8 Limitation 5

Chapter Two 6

Literature Review 6

2.1Intellectual Disability 6
2.2Inclusive Education 6

2.3 Challenges at Inclusive Education 9

2.4 Empirical Review 10

2.5 Theoretical Framework 13

2.6Conceptual framework 14

Chapter Three 15

Methodology 15

3.1 Research Design 15

3.2 Research Type 15

3.3 Research Site 16

3.4 Targeted Population 16

3.5 Research Sample 16

3.6 Data Collection Methods and Instruments 17

3.7 Data Analysis 17

3.8 Validity and Reliability 18

3.9 Ethical Considerartions 19

Chapter Four 21

Presentation Of Results And Analysis 21

4.1 Introduction 21

4.2 Demographic Information21

4.3 Academic qualification of teachers 23

4.4 Challenges that learners with Intellectual disability face 25

4.5 Quality of Inclusive education for learners with intellectual disability 28

4.2 Strategies to address challenges that learners with intellectual disability face 21

Chapter Five 32

Conclusion And Recommendations 32

5.1 Introduction 32

5.2 Summary of Findings 32

5.3 Conclusion 32

5.4 Recommendations33

5.5 Areas for Further Research 33

References 34
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.0. Introduction

This chapter presents background of the information, problem statement, justification, and
significance of the study, purpose of the study, objectives and limitations of the study.

1.1. Background

People with disabilities need to be able to access all the same services and opportunities as
people without disabilities. People with disabilities need to be able to access health care and earn
an income. They also need to access to specific services- such as rehabilitation or assistive
devices, for example wheelchairs and empowering them.

The government advocates for poverty reduction to its citizens, many people in Malawi are
engaged in small businesses in order to generate funds for their daily life.

Malawi government is empowering some of its citizens in small scale business such as social
cash transfer to the needy, with this project, the concerned people use the money to business in
order to be self-reliant.

Women with disabilities in Malawi are also empowered economically by an organization known
as Disabled Women in Development (DIWODE). This organization empowers women with
disabilities to do business or entrepreneurship so that they should live an independent life and be
able to stand on their own. Therefore the researcher would like to find the effectiveness of the
economic empowerment given to women with disabilities

Empowerment is about people being able to have a voice and take control of their own lives and
future. All people, whether they have a disability or not, need to be involved in the decisions that
affect their lives. Women with disability are one of the groups that are prevailing in the recent
studies of economic empowerment particularly in the dimension of education. Recent studies
have shown that women are one of the most vulnerable groups that have been affected by
prevailing inadequate empowerment.

Disabled Women in development (DIWODE) is a membership disability organization of women

act in November 1999. The organization is represented by groups known as zones in different
districts in Malawi. DIWODE joined FEDOMA in 1999. Their vision is to create a barrier-free
society whereby all women maximize their potential to the fullest. DIWODE exists to promote
meaningful participation and self-representation of women with disabilities by advocating for
their rights, economic empowerment activities, sexual rights gender issues and capacity building.

1.2. Statement of the problem

It is generally believed that social cash transfer can lift individuals and their families out of
poverty, while the lack of economic empowerment merely entrenches the individual in a
perpetual state of poverty (see, for example, Colclough, 1982; Lewin, 1993; Kadzamira and
Rose, 2003). If the women with disabilities are given low funds, then it will be very hard for
them to start small scale businesses and support their families at the same time.

Hence, the Government of Malawi emphasizes the importance of an economic population for
Malawi's development and in an attempt to alleviate poverty. studies from Malawi and other
countries in southern Africa have documented that people with disabilities and their families in
these countries have poorer living conditions than people without disabilities, and problems
include those of economic and material poverty, low levels of participation in entrepreneurship
and employment and poorer social and health conditions (Eide et al, 2003a, 2003b; Loeb and
Eide, 2004; Eide and Loeb, 2006; Eide and Kamaleri, 2009). If the women with disabilities are
given low funds, then it will be very hard for them to start small scale businesses and support
their families at the same time. Therefore the researcher would like to find out if women with
disabilities do benefit with the economic empowerment given by DIWODE.

1.3. Justification of the study

This study will give a significant contribution in the awareness of economic empowerment
activities of women with disabilities especially in communities where women with disability are
the most vulnerable. Women with disabilities are many, diverse group whose economic needs
have gone unnoticed by those committed to either gender or disability equity in Malawi, hence
there has been little research, and limited policy and program development to ensure their
participation in economic activities such as small scale business. The research study will review
whether the economic empowerment activities given to women with disabilities is effective or
not and it will also review challenges that women with disabilities encounter or face. The
researcher will come up with alternatives or solutions if any.

1.4. Significance of the study

The study is interested to learn the findings from the investigation on the economic empowerment
activities to women with disabilities at disabled women in development (DIWODE) so that the problems
that women with disabilities face should be solved. The stu dy findings will help the women themselves,
the society and the government and non-government organization. On the side of the society, it is going
to change peoples’ perception of women with disabilities in the society and take a step in empowering
them and it will give a significant contribution in the awareness of empowerment of women with
disabilities economically

The study will benefit the organization of Disabled Women in Development (DIWODE)
whereby DIWODE will be able to have information on the ground on the economic
empowerment activities given to women with disabilities. The researcher will therefore be able
to assist the organization to come up with solutions to challenges if any, hence they will be able
to improve their services.

Also the women with disabilities, who get economic empowerment from DIWODE will benefit
because there will be assisted by the organization to see to it that their economic empowerment is
effective, therefore they will improve their lives for the better.

1.5. Purpose of the study

The purpose of this study is to investigate on the effectiveness of economic empowerment

activities at Disabled Women in Development in order to access all the same services and
opportunities as women without disabilities do.

1.6. Research objectives

1.6.1 Main objective

The general objective of the study is aimed at investigating on the effectiveness of economic
empowerment activities at Disabled Women in Development, Chirimba – Blantyre.
1.6.2 Specific objectives

The specific objectives of the study are as follows:

• To identify the economic empowerment activities implemented by DIWODE.

• To evaluate the economic empowerment activities implemented by DIWODE.

• To determine ways of improving the economic empowerment activities for women with
disabilities.

1.7. Research questions

1.7.1 Main research question

The main research question of the study:

How effective is the economic empowerment activities on Women with Disabilities?

1.7.2 Sub research question

 What are the economic empowerment activities implemented by DIWODE?

 Which challenges affect women at DIWODE?
 How can the challenges faced by women at DIWODE be minimized?

1.8. Limitation of the study

Carmen (2017) states that in research, limitations of the study are the findings that can interfere with the
results before and at the end of the study or those characteristics of the design methodology that
imparted or influenced the interpretation of the findings. Some respondents may not be willing to give
the correct information for fear of giving negative information that can affect the organization
negatively. The researcher will explain to respondents the purpose of the study, that the information will
help both the organization, women with disabilities and the researcher, and that the information will be
kept confidential.
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Introduction

This chapter presents: literature review, theoretical review, conceptual frame work and empirical review.

2.1.0 Definition of Empowerment

Empowerment is a process of internal and external change. The internal process is the person’s
sense or belief in her ability to make decisions and to solve her own problems. (Parsons 1988).

2.1.1 Empowerment given by the Malawi government

There are several program and projects on women empowerment in Malawi. These programs are
implemented by the government as well as NGOs. The government has an overarching program on
women economic empowerment which is managed in the ministry of Gender Children, Disability and
Social welfare. The Ministry of Gender Children, Disability and social welfare however rolled out the
program to cover all districts in the country and to serve all Malawian people using government
resources and interventions. The program is however not women exclusive, in some cases there are
mixed groups of males and females, which are an acceptable practice as long as there are more females
than males in the group/ cooperative (70:30 ratio favoring women).

The program carries out activities such as: community sensitization and mobilization for
entrepreneurship groups, conducting training to business groups in group dynamics, business and
credit management and mentoring and coaching business groups in business management skills.

2.1.2. Economic empowerment given by DIWODE

DIWODE is also acting as a mouth piece and an advocate with the Malawi government whereby
the engaged various stakeholders from Nkhatabay district council on the promotion of inclusive
of girls and women with disabilities in vocational training and employment.

According to the Nation online (2022) DIWODE executive director “Sigere Kasasi” said few
women and girls with disabilities have access to vocational training and economic empowerment
programmes. She further asserted that “since the policies are open, there is need to have
indicators of which girls and women with disabilities would achieve in those training
programmes”.

2.1.3. Criteria used to empower women with disabilities

There is need to shut down negativity so much so that women are constantly exposed to
negativity as they are often held to unrealistic standards of beauty displayed in magazines, on TV
and more recently on social media. Therefore there is need to lift women with disabilities up by
taking a stance against negative comments online, at the office, in business and wherever you go.
Fight negativity by promoting body positivity, intelligence and authenticity. Don’t be afraid to
shut down negativity directly and honestly, therefore women will feel safe and appreciate.

2.1.4 Monitoring and evaluation

The process of monitoring, this is often referred to activity monitoring. Process monitoring is
implemented during the initial stages of a project as its sole purpose is to track the use of inputs
and resources, along with examining how activities and outputs are delivered. It is often
conducted in conjunction with compliance monitoring and feeds into the evaluation of impact.
Coming to the organization monitoring it therefore tracks institutional development,
communication, collaboration, sustainability and capacity building with its partners and stake
holders in relation to project implementation.

The results of monitoring entwines with evaluation, it gathers data to demonstrate a projects
overall effects and impacts on the target population. It helps the project team to determine if the
project is on the right track towards its intended results and whether there may be any unintended
impacts.

2.1.5 Importance of economic empowerment

Economic empowerment increases women to economic resources and opportunities including

jobs, financial services, property and other productive asserts, skills development and market
information. It promotes women’s ability to achieve their rights and well-being while also
reducing household poverty, increasing economic growth and productivity, and increasing
efficiency. Development programmes: Economic empowerment is one of the most powerful
routes for women to achieve their potential and advance their rights.
2.2. Theoretical review

This study is guided by the Empowerment Theory by Zimmerman (2000) which states that
individuals, organizations and communities achieve mastery over themselves and the
environment through mechanism of awareness, control and participation.

Empowerment is a construct that links individual strengths and competencies, natural helping
systems, and pro-active behaviors to social policy and social change (Rappaport, 1981, 1984).
Empowerment theory, research, and intervention link individual well-being with the larger social
and political environment. According Zimmerman’s theory (2000) of empowerment, he
propounds that theoretically, the construct connects mental health to mutual help and the struggle
to create a responsive community. It compels us to think in terms of wellness versus illness,
competence versus deficits, and strength versus weaknesses. Similarly empowerment research
focuses on identifying capabilities instead of cataloging risk factors and exploring environmental
influences of social problems instead of blaming victims. Empowerment-oriented interventions
enhance wellness while they also aim to ameliorate problems, provide opportunities for
participants to develop knowledge and skills, and engage professionals as collaborators instead
of authoritative experts.

In this research to identify the initiatives DIWODE has made on women’s economic
empowerment we will look at the assertion that Empowerment-oriented interventions enhance
wellness while they also aim to ameliorate problems, provide opportunities for participants to
develop knowledge and skills, and engage professionals as collaborators instead of authoritative
experts. To recognize the challenges DIWODE has had on women’s economic empowerment
will require identifying capabilities instead of cataloging risk factors. To analyze the changes
DIWODE has encountered in women’s economic empowerment will explore environmental
influences of the social problems instead of blaming victims.
 2.3 Conceptual frame work

Women with disabilities

No economic Economic
empowerment empowerment

Independent Dependent

Poverty Self-reliant

Source: Marc Zimmerman (2000).

Figure 1: A framework work of empowerment theory

This study is aimed at investigating effectiveness of economic empowerment activities at

Disabled Women in Development, which is guided by empowerment theory by Marc
Zimmerman (2000).
The theory mainly emphasized on the economic empowerment of women with disabilities,
whereby it has looked at the assertion that Empowerment-oriented interventions enhance
wellness while they also aim to ameliorate problems. Recognized the challenges DIWODE has
had on women’s economic empowerment, will require identifying capabilities instead of
cataloging risk factors. The theory has also looked at analyzing the changes DIWODE has
encountered in women’s economic empowerment, will explore environmental influences of the
social problems instead of blaming victims.

2.4. Empirical review

Many scholars have written on the effectiveness of economic empowerment of women with
disability. These scholars have focused on different aspects of economic empowerment of
women with disability such as living standards, economic, social and legal empowerment as
well.

2.4.1 Challenges DIWODE has had on women’s economic empowerment.

According to zvobgo (1998) the challenges that women with disabilities face in Zimbabwe, is
that women with disabilities are discriminated against in employment except for lowly paying
menial jobs. They have no control over their finances and have very limited social contact.
Entrepreneurship is lower among people with disabilities especially women and in general they
receive low levels of economic empowerment, which then translate into low literacy rates and
therefore women with disabilities cannot compete on the job market.

A variety of factors contribute to this situation. Women with disabilities are more likely to be
employed; if employed they receive considerably lower wages than men with disabilities.

Research has shown that people with disabilities in several African countries have lower levels of
participation in entrepreneurship as compared to their non-disabled peers. In addition, the studies
from Malawi, on which this chapter is based, showed that women with disabilities face
discrimination and stigmatization because of their disability, often due to lack of awareness about
disability in their society in general (Loeb and Eide, 2004; Braathen and Ingstad, 2006; Braathen
and Kvam, 2008).
2.4.2 Changes DIWODE has encountered in women’s economic empowerment.

According to Catherine Hyde (2017). Funders can help address this gap and promote more
inclusive and equitable rights movements by ensuring that groups they already support, make
visible the diversity of perspectives, knowledge, and leadership of women with disabilities, as
well as by bringing much needed resources to the field.

Women with disabilities and their organizations are passionate, energetic and committed to this
urgent effort. Furthermore, these women want to work collaboratively and demand their rights
clearly.
CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY

3.0: Introduction

This chapter contains the research approach, research design, study cite, targeted population, population
sample and size, sampling procedure, data collection methods and tools to carry out the study, data
analysis procedure, validity and reliability, Ethical consideration and limitations of the study.

3.1 Research Approach

Rodolo (2008:15) defines research methodology as “a study of a research process in all its
broadness and complexity. This research will use both qualitative and quantitative research.
According to McLead (2017), defined qualitative research as empirical research where data are
not in the form of numbers while quantitative research gathers data in numerical form which can
be put into categories or in rank orders or measured in units. This study will employ qualitative
research because it gives richer answers to questions and gives valuable insights which might
have been missed by any other method since data is collected in face to face situations by
interacting with selected persons in their setting. In this approach, the researcher will rely on the
views of the participants, asked broad and general questions. As a researcher, qualitative research
will be used to understand findings of quantitative research.

3.2 Research Design

For this study the researcher will employ a case study as a mode of enquiry. Creswell (2008:475)
defines a case study as an in-depth exploration of a bounded system based on extensive data
collection. In a case study, a particular individual, programme or event is studied in-depth for a
defined time. The researcher is going to focus on a programme, event or activity involving
individuals rather than a group. The study is going to collect extensive data on the individual(s),
programme(s), or events(s) on which the investigation is focused. Such data often includes
observations and interviews. The researcher will spend an extended time on the site and interact
regularly with the participants, record details about the context surrounding the case, information
on the physical environment and any historical, economic or social factors that have a bearing on
the situation.

3.3 Study Site

Source: produced in QG is 3.10. Software Figure 2. Map of Blantyre showing DIWODE
organization

The researcher will collect information at Disabled Women in Development (DIWODE), 35

minutes’ drive from town (8.2km).

3.4 Target Population

Disabled Women in Development (DIWODE) has a number of stuffs who work full time. The
study will target on women with disabilities at Disabled women in Development in Blantyre.

3.5 Population Sample and Size

The study will focus on 12 women. Interviews and observations which will be conducted at the
site, making total of 12 participants.

3.6 Sampling Procedures

The researcher is going to use Purposive sampling whereby the researcher will have to group
participants according to preselected standards relevant to a particular research question.
Creswell (2008:215) states that in purposeful sampling, researchers intentionally select
participants and sites of use in learning or to understanding the central phenomenon. The
standards used for selecting the participants and sites are whether or not they are information
rich, the study will choose purposive sampling for the study.

3.7 Data Collection Methods and tools

In order to answer the research questions, the following methods will be used to collect data for
the study.

3.7.1 Interviews

The study will therefore use interviews, data is collected through the use of an interview guide
and the interview questions are going to be in form of semi-structured as well as open ended
questions. Open-ended questions is asked so that participants can best voice their experiences
free by any view of the study. De Vos (2003:302) is of the opinion that semi-structured \
interviews are used by the researcher to gain a detailed picture of participants’ beliefs,
perceptions or accounts about a particular topic.

The study will compile a set of pre-determined questions on an interview schedule with the
interview guided and not dictated by the schedule. The researcher regarded participants as
experts on the subject and allowed them opportunities to tell their story. After having obtained
permission from participants, the researcher conducted one-on-one interviews in order to reduce
tension. The researcher will give the participants copies of the interview guide prior to the
interviews so that they know beforehand what would be expected in order to enable them to
share their experiences and expertise and respond freely and confidently on what they know.

To ensure effective interviews the researcher will basically apply the following techniques. The
researcher will ask clear, single, brief open-ended questions one at a time whilst also avoiding
sensitive questions; and the participants will do most of the talking. The researcher will repeat
key questions and conduct slight investigations throughout the interviews, allowing for pauses in
conversation. The researcher will try to avoid off the record information, to use slight
investigations, not to interrupt a good story and to end interviews on time.

3.8 Data Analysis procedure

The researcher will utilize both qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Qualitative data
analysis is in form of content and theme analysis. Content analysis is the textual analysis of data
in an objective and systematic manner in which the researcher makes inferences from the text in
order to come up with useful conclusions and recommendations (McMillan and Schumacher
2001). The whole process of content analysis involves the arrangement of common responses
obtained from interviews to the main themes. The researcher will organize, count for and explain
the data in terms of themes. This involves then to manually count how many respondents gave
similar responses to a particular theme from the same question or from related questions.

3.9 Validity

Validity refers to a situation when evidence proves that the findings are reasonable (McMillan,
2012). The research is not considered valid if the researcher misinterpreted the answers of the
respondents or if the respondents did not understand the questions clearly. The respondents can
also be influenced by factors out of researcher's control, such as technical factors, time and
mood. (Ghauri & Gronhaug, 2005) The results of this survey could be influenced by the situation
the respondents are. They could have felt tired to carefully fill the survey. To make sure this is
not the case nothings had been changed in the interview guide during the time answers were
collected or later; Special instructions were sent to respondents to provide additional guidance;
Questions are going to be made based on peoples’ lives experience hence, basically it will be
interesting and it will make people to give answers in real life making it more valid.

The study in order to ensure validity piloted the research tools in order to make corrections where
necessary. Match the items and instructional objectives to see how well they fit with each other,
the study will ensure that the data collection tools are free from bias, the time given to collect
data will be reasonable.

3.9.1 Reliability

Assessing reliability of study findings, the researcher and professionals to make judgment about
the soundness of the research in relation to application and appropriateness of the methods
undertaken in the research and the integrity of the solution. Some research are frequently
criticized for lacking scientific rigor with poor justification of the methods adopted. An important
reliability question is how accurately would the score be reproduced if we were to test an
individual twice? (Saunders et al, 2012) Therefore, to also ascertain reliability, a number of
research methodologies are employed. These are unstructured and structured interview questions
and observations. Thus, in this way, the research will ensure that the methods complement each
other in producing reliable results.

3.10 Ethical Considerations

Ethics is defined as that branch of philosophy which deals with one’s conduct and serves as a
guide to one’s behavior (Mugenda 2003).

The fact that human beings are the object of study in the social sciences brings unique ethical
problems to the fore which would not be relevant in the natural sciences. The researcher has to
make sure that there will be good relationship between the researcher and the participants
because the distance between the researcher and the participants does not make a study more
conducive to meeting ethical standards; however, a neutral distance in itself could be constructed
as an ethical issue because it could lead to objectification of others. So, the researcher will
provide the true aim of the research and assured that the data collected will be used for intended
purposes. The researcher is then going to ask for permission from all the respondents and
informed consent that the respondents are willing to give information without being forced.

The respondent’s right to privacy are respected by not intruding in their offices or classrooms
without their knowledge. In addition to that, the researcher will also look into consideration the
right to confidentiality. The identities of the participants remained confidential throughout the
research upon agreements made between the participants and the researcher. All other personal
information that are going to be shared between the participants and the researcher also remains
confidential and is not disclosed in any part of the study without prior permission from the
participant.
CHAPTER 4: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

4.0. Introduction

This chapter presents and analyses the data collected from respondents. The study’s aim was to
investigate the effectiveness of economic empowerment activities by Disabled Women in
Development. The study was guided by three objectives. The first objective was to identify the
economic empowerment activities implemented by DIWODE. The second was to evaluate the
economic empowerment activities implemented by DIWODE. The third was to determine ways
of improving the economic empowerment activities for women with disabilities. The data was
collected using interview guide questions and observation.

In presenting data, verbalism statements from the respondents were used to maintain the
originality of the information collected. Data is presented according to the research objectives. In
each section, the presentation of the findings starts, then a summary. The anonymity of the
respondents is ensured by the use of letters as follows;

Letter A represents the Director of DIWODE.

Letter B represents accounts clerk.

Letter C represents women with disabilities.

Letter D represents guardians.

This chapter therefore starts with presentation of data from 14 respondents using sub research
questions.

4.1. Economic activities

What are the economic empowerment activities that are given to women with disabilities?

The researcher wanted to find out the economic empowerment activities given to women with
disabilities. The following were responses;
Respondent A, said that there are different types of economic empowerment activities that are
provided to the women with disabilities, for example baking, tailoring, mushroom production
and animal farming such as pig farming.

Respondent B1, said that “Women with disabilities receive vocational training, that includes
training them in the use of new skills to the activities that they are given”.

Respondent B2 said that “the women also suggested that they need to be oriented on how to do a
village bank called Bank Nkhonde”, then in so doing, DIWODE also invested something to assist
the women in their village bank so much so that the women are therefore allowed to get loans
from their bank which is monitored by Disabled Women in Development”.

Respondent B3 said that “the organization works hand in hand with Go Green organization to
teach the women with disabilities in Mushroom production and that the organization find
markets for the women after the mushrooms are ready”.

Respondent C1 said that “our stake holders work hand in hand with an organization called ‘Go
Green’ that train us in mushroom production and that they give us seeds for the mushroom and
once the mushrooms have been harvested, the Go Green organization find markets for us women
in order to boost and encourage our skills in the mushroom production.

Respondent C2 said that “we asked our stake holders to help us on how we can keep money safe
or invest more, so they taught us

Respondent C3 said that “when it comes to the village bank, the organization helps us in adding
up their money to the women’s bank”.

Respondent C4 said that “Vocational training provides us women with disabilities specific skills
for jobs in the labor and also skills in how we can operate small scale businesses”.

Respondent C5 also said that “there are a lot of economic empowerment activities that are
provided by DIWODE and the thing that I like about the organization is that, they don’t choose
who to participate so much so that every woman with disability can take part and parcel of the
activities, hence the ability of the person determines what activity to be done.
Respondent C6 said that “Animal farming is what she likes so much so that mentors taught me
on how to raise the animals such as pigs, in terms of feed and the like”.

Respondent C7 said that “I rely on Mushroom production because it becomes easy for me to
produce and that it is marketable”.

Respondent D1 said that “what I like about the organization is that they just don’t give out
economic empowerment activities with words hence they train the women on how to go about
the activities that are there”.

Respondent D2 said that “Vocational training is the type of effective economic empowerment
activities given to women with disabilities. Respondent D2 rely on vocational training for women
to be fully enlightened and educated on how they can run their small scale business.”

Respondent D3 said that “our relative get loans from the village bank that is monitored by the
stake holders in order to invest more to the business of Tailoring that she chose to be doing”.

Respondent D4 said that “our relative is good in farming hence she chose Mushroom
production”.

Summary

From the findings, it has been noted that the stake holders at Disabled Women in Development
basically have different types of economic empowerment activities that are implemented and that
they use vocational trainings and the mentors monitor the women in their economic
empowerment activities in order for them to be effective, therefore the women are also allowed
to take loans through their village bank in order to sustain their small scale businesses.

According to Stace (1986), Vocational training provides the women with disabilities specific
skills for jobs in the labor and also skills in how they can operate small scale businesses, however
vocational training furthers the education disabled women have received from the institute.
Having a job gives the disabled women the opportunity to break out of poverty, dependency and
social isolation.
4.2. EVALUATION OF THE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT.

How effective is the economic empowerment activities that are implemented by DIWODE?

The researcher wanted to find out if the economic empowerment activities implemented by
DIWODE was effective or not.

The following were responses;

Respondent A, said that “There is communication breakdown from both stake holders and some
women with disabilities that have visual impairment or hearing impairment during the vocational
training process because there are no experts of sign language in the organization, hence they
wait to hire an expert from another organization.”

Respondent B1, highlighted that “it is very hard for the women with disabilities to go hard with
their small scale business that they keep on remaining on the same level because they sometimes
lend money from their village bank, and after the business turns out to be effective they end up
returning the money back to the bank hence going back to the same level they were”.

Respondent B2 said that “ the orientation given to women with disabilities are effective that they
can make things on their own but the only problem is capital to start the project for example
buying of sewing machines or feed when it comes to the pig farming”.

Respondent B3 said that “the economic empowerment activities given to women are effective
and productive because once they teach the women, they then monitor them while putting the
things into practice for instance some women started selling cakes and donuts that they were
taught by their mentors, but sometimes transportation turns to be a problem, there are some
women with some disabilities that it is very hard for them to get on a bicycle to go the market
which makes them to have less customers because they only sell their things at home.”

Respondent C1said that “Communication breakdown is a problem because most times the signs
used by the women who are deaf differ from the signs that the mentors knows.”

Respondent C2 said that “The progress is there, that we are able to find basic needs through the
small scale businesses that we are engaged in”.
Respondent C3 highlighted that “Communication breakdown is the main challenge, because we
have a meeting with the stake holders once a week and it is very costly to hire an expert with sign
language skills. Some of the stake holders did not learn sign language and braille at college.”

Respondent C4 also said that “they are able to feed their families due to the small scale
businesses that they do.”

Respondent C5 said that “the program is reliable hence I started producing my own mushrooms.”

Respondent C6 said that” we need funds to support our businesses because we end up rotating on
the same level as we get loans and we return it back over the period of time agreed”.

Respondent C7 “Communication breakdown is a problem because most times the signs used by
the women who are deaf differ from the signs that the mentors knows.”

Respondent D1 said that “Our relative is doing great in tailoring, that the training really helped,
but the only problem is security because our relative was born with albinism so she finds it hard
and scared to walk in dark places when coming from the market where she does the business.”

Respondent D2 said that “The women are able to make mushroom on their own and that they
wait for the Go Green organization to find markets for them so that they can sell them”.

Respondent D3 highlighted that “, there are some women with some disabilities that it is very
hard for them to get on a bicycle to go the market which makes them to have less customers
because they only sell their things at home.”

Respondent D4 also said that “there has to be a proper provision of transports for the women
who are physically disabled.”

Summary

The findings show that the stake holders and women with disabilities work hand in hand when it
comes to the economic empowerment activities in order to achieve a common goal, but however
the findings also shows that there are some challenges that are faced in the process. These
challenges are; communication breakdown because most stake holders have challenges in sign
language and the signs that some women with hearing impairment problems use differ from the
signs that the mentors know and use. The women with disabilities therefore have problems with
security, especially when it comes to women with albinism, that they find it hard from travelling
from point A to B while doing their businesses that they are scared of being attacked. The other
challenge faced by the women with disabilities is that of lack of proper transportation to some
women that cannot manage to use transports like bicycles due to their disabilities.

4.3. DETERMINING WAYS OF IMPROVING ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT.

What are the ways of improving economic empowerment activities for women with
disabilities?

The researcher wanted to find out if there were any solutions to the challenges faced by women
with disabilities.

The following were responses:

Respondent A, said that “the government must provide security when it comes to women with
albinism so much so that they can travel from point A to B without fear, while running there
small scale businesses”.

Respondent B1 said that “Government have to make sure that there is provision of proper
transportation for instance cars, because there are some women with some disabilities that it
might be hard for them to get on a bicycle.”

Respondent B2 said that “some organizations that are willing need to help us with funds so much
so that the work can be easy, for instance after training the women in tailoring then we can be
able to buy them sewing machines”.

Respondent B3 said that “the government needs to emphasize that majority of people are
learning sing language in the universities because communication becomes a barrier when it
comes to women with hearing impairment”.
Respondent C1 said that “The government must provide security when it comes to women with
albinism so much so that they can travel from point A to B without fear, while running there
small scale businesses”.

Respondent C2 said that “the organization needs to have employees that are qualified in sign
language and braille in the sense that communication is a barrier as they are some women with
hearing impairment and visual impairment.

Respondent C3 said that “ they need enough funds to support their business because they keep on
remaining on the same level as they get loans from their village Bank and when the business
have been effective they end up returning the loan that they got hence rotating on the same level
due to capital”.

Respondent C4 said that “Due to lack of experts in sign language, most stake holders find it
difficult to communicate with the women with hearing impairment therefore experiencing
communication breakdown.

Respondent C5 said that “Government have to make sure that there is provision of proper
transportation for instance cars, because there are some women with some physical disabilities
that it might be hard for them to get on a bicycle.”

Respondent C6 said that “we have the skill and knowledge but we can’t afford to buy
something’s so some organizations that are willing need to help us with funds so much so that
the work can be easy, for instance after training us in tailoring, then we can be able to buy them
sewing machines”.

Respondent C7 also said that “security is very important, so there has to be neighborhood patrol
working hand in hand with the police in order to protect the women with disabilities”.

Respondent D1 said that “Government has to make sure that there are well qualified employees
that work full time in both sign language and braille”.

Respondent D2 said that “the mentors that train the women with disabilities in the economic
empowerment activities have to be one from the same organization rather than hiring one
specialist from some organization because some women may be afraid of sharing their personal
issues with different people”.

Respondent D3 said that “the government have to work hand in hand with organization in order
to provide security when it comes to women with albinism so much so that they can travel from
point A to B without fear, while running there small scale businesses”.

Respondent D4 said that “the organization have to provide capital to the women after the
supervision have been made that they are ready to work on their own”.

Summary

The findings show that the organization need a well-qualified and a full time stake holder with
sign language and braille reading and writing skills that assist the women in vocational training
as they are different women with different disabilities because it is very costly whenever there is
a vocational training to hire a qualified expert with sign language skills that will assist to
communicate with women who are deaf. Due to lack of experts in sign language, most stake
holders find it difficult to communicate with the women with hearing impairment therefore
experiencing communication breakdown.

4.6. Chapter summary

This chapter has presented the findings that were collected from respondents of the study. The
data was guided by three set objectives which are, to identify the economic empowerment
activities implemented by DIWODE, to evaluate the economic empowerment activities
implemented by DIWODE, to determine ways of promoting economic empowerment activities
for women with disabilities. Data was collected from the director, accountant clerk, relatives and
women with disabilities using structured interviews and observations.

4.4. Data analysis

4.5. The economic empowerment activities that are given to women with disabilities

The research has revealed that there are different types of economic empowerment activities that
are provided to the women with disabilities, such as Baking donuts, Tailoring, Mushroom
production and animal farming such as Pig farming and that the women with disabilities receive
vocational training in a way to equip women with disabilities with the technical knowledge,
expertise, skills and competences required on the labour market and at the same time, with the
personal skills for their future lives in society and this process is monitored by their mentors in
the organization.

4.6 Evaluation of the economic empowerment activities implemented by DIWODE.

The research has revealed that stake holders and women with disabilities, hence participating in
the economic empowerment activities, they also face some challenges in the teaching process.
For example, among 4 respondents who were interviewed, the director said the challenge that
women with disabilities face is that “There is communication breakdown from both stake holders
and some women with disabilities that have visual impairment or hearing impairment during the
vocational training process because there are no experts of sign language in the organization,
hence they wait to hire an expert from another organization to come in and mentor the women
from DIWODE.” And it also have been noted that when it comes to sign language and these
signs tend to be different from those of the Malawian sign language making it hard to connect the
hired specialist and the women with visual impairment. They feel insecure to share their personal
problems in the sense that they are not used to the specialists that are hired, that come in to train
them in the economic empowerment activities. This can therefore be achieved if the organization
had a specialist who is fluent in sign language and braille who can be working full time in the
organization so much so that the hiring of the specialists not to be costly. This also can be
achieved if stake holders use Malawian sign language dictionary which is not yet out. Ramsey
(1997) observes that in reality, communication is the medium that structures teaching and
learning because most activities such as teaching are shaped by language as it is used in
vocational training. Women with hearing impairment or visual impairment perform poorly
because of lack of communication.

One of the relatives to the women with disabilities said that “the training has really helped and
that their life is not the same that it is changing, but the only problem is security because our
relative was born with albinism so she finds it hard and scared to walk in dark places when
coming from the market where she does the business.” This can be achieved if stakeholders work
hand in hand with the government to ensure that women with albinism are protected.

4.7 Solutions to the challenges

6 Respondents out of 14 suggested that, the challenges can be minimized by employing a full
time specialist who could be training women on how to run a business. While 5 suggested that
the government should give them enough funds to buy sewing machines, while 3 respondents
suggested that the organization should find markets for them when it comes to selling the pigs, so
much so that the economic empowerment activities at Disabled Women in Development should
be effective. From the findings, the researcher observed that it was important for some mentors
to be oriented in sign language and braille so that they should be able to communicate with the
women with hearing impairment. Based on the World Federation of the Deaf (1993), sign
language consists of visual-gestural language which involves the use of Hand shapes and
position, eyes, facial expression, mouth, head and body. Hearing aids to be provided to some
women who can use them. This improves the amplification of sounds. This makes both women
with different disabilities to work together and achieve a common goal.

4.5. Discussion of the findings

Economic empowerment that is given by Disabled Women in Development to women with

disabilities is necessary in the sense that it helps women with disabilities to be self-reliant.
However due to some challenges the economic activities may not be achieved.

The findings show that there are different types of economic empowerment activities that are
provided to the women with disabilities, for example baking, tailoring, mushroom production
and animal farming such as pig farming. Most stake holders use vocational training when
assisting the women with disabilities with their economic empowerment activities. Vocational
training was a process that was introduced to the field of women with disabilities in order to
enhance their economic empowerment activities, this therefore help the women to adapt to new
skills and therefore putting them into practice so that they can be able to stand on their own and
be able to make profits and sustain their families. According to Stace (1986), Vocational training
provides the women with disabilities specific skills for jobs in the labor and also skills in how
they can operate small scale businesses. However vocational training furthers the education
disabled women have received from the institute. Having a job gives the women with disabilities
the opportunity to break out of poverty, dependency and social isolation.

According to Lieberman and Houston (2009), Stake holders, in order to make the women’s
economic empowerment activities effective, they use Vocational Training because it is a key
element of lifelong learning systems that aims to equip women with disabilities with the
technical knowledge, expertise, skills and competences required on the labour market and at the
same time, with the personal skills for their future lives in society.

Furthermore, when women with disabilities were interviewed they all said the types of economic
empowerment activities that are provided are; Baking, Tailoring, Mushroom production and
Animal farming such as pig farming. They do not just receive the activities mentioned above,
hence there is use of vocational training whereby they have their mentors that help them in
implementing the skills on how to go with the activities.

Lastly the money they are given is not enough that they can make profits out of it, for somebody
to keep domestic pigs is expensive when it comes to feeding them and in the end there is no
profit. However when it comes to tailoring they are trained, but they are not able buy the sewing
machines and clothes because they are expensive.
Chapter 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.0 Introduction

In this chapter, the researcher presents conclusion and recommendations on the economic
empowerment activities at Disabled Women in Development.

5.1 Conclusion

The study has revealed that there are different types of economic empowerment activities that are
provided to the women with disabilities, for example Baking, Tailoring, Mushroom production
and animal farming such as Pig farming and that the women with disabilities receive vocational
training and they are monitored by their mentors.

5.2. Recommendation

The researcher has come up with the following recommendations to improve the economic
empowerment activities for women with disabilities.

 Women with disabilities should be given enough money to start a business.

 The organization need to have one accounts clerk, instead of three so much so that they
can employee two qualified specialists, that can assist those women with visual and
hearing impairment when it comes to communication.
 The organization have to make sure that there is enough security to protect the women
with albinism, such as the neighborhood and the police, so much so that there business
can be effective.
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LIST OF APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1: CONSENT LETTER
Good Morning/ Afternoon,

I am Alex Chitsanthi (BEDSN/NE/2019/0345) a fourth year student at The Catholic University of

Malawi pursuing a Bachelor`s Degree in Special Needs Education. I am conducting a research on
investigation on the effectiveness of economic empowerment activities at Disabled Women in
Development.
The information you are going to provide will help recommend strategies to be applied in organizations
to assist in promoting the effectiveness of economic empowerment activities to women with disabilities.
It will be used for research purposes only and will be given utmost custody and confidentiality it
deserves.
If you readily accept to provide your valuable participation in this research, please sign below or give an
oral consent.

Sign…………………………………………….Date……………………………………………....

Thank you for your participation.

APPENDIX I
INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR THE DIRECTOR OF THE DISABLED WOMEN IN
DEVELOPMENT

I am Alex Chitsanthi a student at the Catholic University of Malawi and I am doing a research on the
topic; Investigation on the effectiveness of economic empowerment activities for disabled women in
development.
Kindly answer the questions by giving your honest response. All information provided will be treated
with confidentiality and will only be used for the purpose of this study.

1 How many women have you given them economic empowerment?

2 What kind of support do you give to women with disabilities?

3 How do you choose women with disability to access economic empowerment?

4 How effective is the programme?

5 Are there challenges faced in the implementation of the project?

6 What do you think should be done to address the challenges?

Thank you

APPENDIX 2
INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES AT DISABLED
WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT

I am Alex Chitsanthi a student at the Catholic University of Malawi and I am doing a research on the
topic; Investigation on the effectiveness of economic empowerment activities at disabled women in
development.
Kindly answer the questions by giving your honest response. All information provided will be treated
with confidentiality and will only be used for the purpose of this study.

1 How did you get the economic empowerment?

2 Which economic empowerment activities are you engaged in?

3 Did you get any training on how to manage the project?

4 What are the challenges you face in carrying out economic empowerment?

5 What do you think should be done to overcome the challenges?

Thank you
APPENDIX 3
INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR THE ACCOUNTANT AT DISABLED WOMEN IN
DEVELOPMENT

I am Alex Chitsanthi a student at the Catholic University of Malawi and I am doing a research on the
topic; Investigation on the effectiveness of economic empowerment activities at disabled women in
development.
Kindly answer the questions by giving your honest response. All information provided will be treated
with confidentiality and will only be used for the purpose of this study.

1 How much money did you invest to the village bank?

2 Do you think the money is enough to carry out economic empowerment activities?

3 Are women given orientation on how to manage the money from the village bank?

4 Do you monitor and evaluate the program?

5 Are there challenges in carrying this project?

6 What do you think should be done to minimize the challenges?

Thank you

APPENDIX 4
INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR GUARDIANS OF THE WOMEN WITH DISABILITY
AT DISABLED WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT

I am Alex Chitsanthi a student at the Catholic University of Malawi and I am doing a research on the
topic; Investigation on the effectiveness of economic empowerment activities at disabled women in
development.
Kindly answer the questions by giving your honest response. All information provided will be treated
with confidentiality and will only be used for the purpose of this study.

1 Do you know the kind of project done?

2 What kind of assistance do you give?

3 Do you have any challenges in the project?

4 What should be done to minimize the problem?

Thank you

BUDGET
ITEM ESTIMATED AMOUNT
Pens 3 @ 600 K 600
Pencils 4 @ 400 K 400
Plain papers Ream of plain K 5000
papers @ 5000
Printing out of 25 pages @ 2,500 K 2500
proposal
Printing and 20 copies 2,500 K 2500
photocopy of data
tools
Food 20,000 K20,000
Transport 20,000 K20,000
Printing, 25 @ 100 K 2500
photocopying and
binding of the
research proposal.
Other Stationary 10,000 K 10,000
Folder 3@ 4500 K 4500
Total K 68,000
WORK PLAN
WORK DONE TIME
28TH September 2021 to 22 October
Introduction 2021
29TH October 2021 to 19 November
Literature Review 2021
22nd November 2021 to 14 December
Methodology 2021
Proposal Print out 16th December 2021
Submission 16th December 2021