By Our CorrespondentΒ
Worth Noting:
- One of the NGEC Commissioner Dr. Margaret Karungaru who graced the colourful ceremony that was held at FL Resort near Nyeri town recommended OWIT Kenya and County Governments for being in the front line in creating an all-inclusive business environment for women in trade by creating innovative ways for business while showing dedication to reducing the inequalities in business.
- Nyeri County being one of the counties in the region with the highest per capita gross income has attributed this to the entrepreneurial spirit of the Nyerian women and appreciates their contribution to the County wealth through agriculture and trade as they make up 40 per cent of the small scale farmers in the region.
The Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT), Central region chapter was launched yesterday.
OWIT Kenya is a global business association for networking, education, information dissemination, professional growth and leadership with the mission to promote advancement of women in trade.
The organisation seeks to amplify the voices of women in trade while connectingΒ themΒ with financial partners, mentoring and linking women to markets both locally and internationally for women to scale up their businesses.
The launch was done in conjunction with the National Gender Equality Commission (NGEC) and the County Government of Nyeri through the Department of Gender.
One of the NGEC Commissioner Dr. Margaret Karungaru who graced the colourful ceremony that was held at FL Resort near Nyeri town recommended OWIT Kenya and County Governments for being in the front line in creating an all-inclusive business environment for women in trade by creating innovative ways for business while showing dedication to reducing the inequalities in business.
Nyeri County being one of the counties in the region with the highest per capita gross income has attributed this to the entrepreneurial spirit of the Nyerian women and appreciates their contribution to the County wealth through agriculture and trade as they make up 40 per centΒ of the small scale farmers in the region.
Nyeri’s Department of Gender, Youth, Sports & Social Services CECM Esther Ndung’u hosted the team and represented area governor Mutahi Kahiga.
In her speech, she noted that an empowered woman is an empowered community and through the Department of Gender, the county government is committed to promote policies for gender equality and women in trade while also looking forward to equip women with skills required to keep them at par with their male counterparts in business.
She encouraged women to take up the already existing Nyeri Enterprise Development Fund that has an interest of only five per cent. The funds are usually disbursed by the County’s Department of Trade, Tourism, Culture and Co-operative Development.
The theme of the meeting was, βSustainable Agriculture for Rural Economic Developmentβ.
The discussions focused on Gender, Trade, Agriculture and Export.
Some of the key highlights include, Access to finance, Women empowerment for sustainable Agriculture and Access to local and international markets.
Others are Mentorship to join local and international trade and Value addition and sustainable Agri-business.
OWIT’sΒ Central Region office that will be housed in Nyeri County will be serving Kirinyaga, Murangβa, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Kiambu, Embu and Nyandarua counties with it key objective being to take significant step towards empowering women in trade, business and promoting inclusive economic growth.
OWIT President Pauline Okubasu thanked the County Government of Nyeri and other stakeholders for the support.
Commissioner Thomas Koyier, Vice President OWIT Outreach – Joan Miano, OWIT – Board were also present.
Other stakeholders represented during the occasion included representatives from ABSA, IFC, Global Oil, KRA, CPF,Β CEREB, Chief Officers Director and other County Government of Nyeriβs staff and other counties in Central region.
