Women, youth, and persons with disabilities have been encouraged to take full advantage of available initiatives aimed at fostering their economic empowerment.
Principal Secretary for the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action Anne Wang’ombe emphasized the government’s commitment to providing support to uplift the living standards of women across the country.
Wang’ombe highlighted that the government, through the Women Enterprise Fund, the National Government Affirmative Action Fund, and the Anti-FGM Board, is driving several initiatives designed to empower women and promote gender equality.
Women Enterprise Fund offers financial support and capacity-building programmes for women-owned businesses, providing them with access to the credit and resources necessary for growth and sustainability.
The National Government Affirmative Action Fund supports projects that promote women’s leadership and empowerment at the grassroots level, aiming tatenhancing women’s participation in governance and decision-making processes.
The Anti-FGM Board leads campaigns against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), raising awareness, educating communities, and supporting survivors through advocacy and healthcare services.
Speaking during the Festac Africa Festival Women Summit held in Kisumu County on Wednesday, Wang’ombe noted that the State Department collaborates with all 47 County Woman Representatives to roll out transformative programmes at the community level.
“These women leaders are instrumental in advancing initiatives that address the specific needs of their communities. Through their efforts, women’s voices are amplified in decision-making processes, ensuring that policies reflect their unique demands and impact their lives positively,” she stated.
Wangombe acknowledged Kenya’s significant strides in advancing women’s rights and representation.
“We have seen the rise of women in leadership positions across Africa, such as Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first female President of Liberia, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, the former President of Mauritius and Samia Suluhu Hassan, the current President of Tanzania,” she observed.
These leaders, the PS noted, were inspiring examples of what could be achieved when women are given the opportunity to lead.
She also called on stakeholders to identify practical strategies and take actionable steps to overcome the challenges hindering progress toward equality.
“Together, we can explore pathways to enhance women’s participation in leadership, expand access to entrepreneurship, and promote sustainable social development,” Wang’ombe concluded.
By Robert Ojwang’
