Women Entrepreneurs Development Association of Zambia (WEDAZ) has appealed to Government for support in order for them to penetrate the AGOA market.

WEDAZ chairperson Irene Imasiku said in Lusaka yesterday that there was need for Government to ensure that it supports organisations aimed at reducing poverty levels in Zambia.

Ms Imasiku said her association was supposed to attend the AGOA conference in the United States but could not do so due to lack of funding.

She said Government through the ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry (MCTI) took some products such as batik, tie and dye, and crafts but did not find market for the products due to other commitments.

She said it was important for the association members to travel in order for them to find a wider linkage of market.

And a statement from WEDAZ says Zambia has a total population of 10.2 million of which 73 per cent lived below the poverty datum line.

The statement said poverty in Zambia affected a disproportionate number of women.

The prevalence of female headed households, the lower earning capacity of women and their limited control over spouse's income all contributed to the disturbing phenomenon.

However, she said that WEDAZ had recorded a lot of successes that overrode failure of the initial revolving fund last year and this would be put in place.