CARE International plans to train small groups in agri-nutrition health and economic empowerment in Nakuru County.
Subsequently, the County Chief Officer for Gender, Social Services and Inclusivity Gladys Kamuren has held a meeting with over 20 Economic Empowerment Groups from Kaptembwo Ward.
The meeting centered on discussing CARE International’s role as an economic empowerment partner. During the meeting, Kamuren urged women to fortify their groups by prioritizing accountability and transparency.
This, she emphasized, would render the groups more sustainable and attractive to additional funding opportunities.
Additionally, she pledged her commitment to collaborating with CARE International to achieve their shared mission of community empowerment and improve the livelihoods of women groups.
However, a woman leader from the area, Monica Onsoti, urged the NGO to consider funding individual women who have businesses and find it difficult to operate in groups.
Onsoti said such self-made women also require support to grow their enterprises, instead of being ignored by NGOs who purport to be supporting only groups, since growth is important and should be encouraged instead of always herding women together like sheep.
However, the women leader appreciated the county and NGOs’ backing, but said local women have grown over the years and some of them require much more support, not necessary funding, but training and education on how to grow their businesses across the borders.
She gave examples of women farmers who are always contracted by importers to grow for them vegetables and avocados for export, simply because they don’t know the procedures of becoming registered and be buying their produce directly, instead of passing through middlemen.
Onsoti said as the world celebrates International Women’s Day this Friday, they want to be treated and perceived as equal partners in business and development, and not as substitutes or weaklings, who largely depend on NGOs.
On the contrary, women should be viewed as independent-minded and capable of achieving as much as any other human being, she added.
By Veronica Bosibori
