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('article', 0, 283, 494, 'en', 0, '<p><strong>Renowned scholar Prof. Wanjiku Mukabi Kabira is the new Chairperson of the Women Enterprise Fund Advisory board.</strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The Professor of Literature and founder of the University of Nairobi’s African Women’s Studies Centre will head the board for a period of three years.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>“IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by paragraph 5 (1) (a) of the Government Financial Management (Women Enterprise Fund) Regulations, 2007, I, Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint – WANJIKU KABIRA (PROF.) to be the Chairperson of the Women Enterprise Fund Advisory Board, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 13th July, 2022. Dated the 13th July, 2022” reads a gazette notice.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Established in August 2007, Women Enterprise Fund is a Semi-Autonomous Government Agency in the Ministry of Public Service, Youth &amp; Gender Affairs.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>It provides accessible and affordable credit to support women to start and/or expand businesses for wealth and employment creation.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>The Fund in 2011 emerged, winner of the Sustainable Development Goals Award for outstanding achievement in promoting Gender Equality and Women Empowerment.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Prof Kabira has shown distinguished leadership of the Kenyan Women’s movement and has been actively involved in women’s affairs and gender issues for several years.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>She was also involved in the review process of the Constitution having served as a vice chair of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission in 2000.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt6R0u8appw&amp;t=9s\">WATCH ON YOUTUBE</a></p>\r\n', '', 'full_html'),
('article', 0, 284, 495, 'en', 0, '<p>As the Hub continues with its second phase of the dissemination exercise, we are happy to invite you to tune in to KBC Ngemi FM and Radio Taifa from 8.00 am today November 25, 2022, to participate in the discussion on&nbsp; \"Credit Guarantee Scheme and Women\'s Economic Empowerment\"&nbsp; The Hub researchers Dr. Dorothy Njiraine and Beatrice Kamau will be sharing the WEE Hub\'s research findings.</p>\r\n', '', 'full_html'),
('article', 0, 285, 496, 'en', 0, '<p><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Tahoma&quot;,sans-serif\">Proffesser Margaret Kobia (right) and Hon. Charity Ngilu (left) share a moment during the celebration of Prof Margaret Kobia as a Trailblazer at Villa Rosa Kempinski</span></span></p>\r\n', '', 'full_html'),
('article', 0, 286, 497, 'en', 0, '<p><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Tahoma&quot;,sans-serif\">Professor Margaret Kobia (second right) receives a portrait from Hon. Charity Ngilu (left) during the celebration ceremony, looking on from right is Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organization National Chairlady, Mrs. Rahab Mwikali Mulu and Dr. Jennifer Riria (second left</span></span></p>\r\n', '', 'full_html'),
('article', 0, 287, 498, 'en', 0, '<p style=\"text-align:justify; margin-bottom:11px\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:107%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"><span style=\"line-height:107%\"><span style=\"font-family:Montserrat\">Women leaders and Trail blazers celebrated Kobia for having made significant contributions towards women’s empowerment during her tenure as a Cabinet secretary. The Trailblazers also inducted Prof. Kobia into the rank of Trailblazer in a colorful ceremony that was attended by over one hundred women leaders and officiated by PS Mary Kimonye, representing Hon CS Aisha Jumwa.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span lang=\"EN-GB\" style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"><span style=\"background:white\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Montserrat\"><span style=\"color:#202124\">Trailblazers are women who pioneered the gender equality movement in Kenya. They have held top government, non-government and international jobs, leaving footprints of commitment, distinction and success. These women</span></span></span></span></span><span lang=\"EN-GB\" style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Montserrat\"> have made exemplary contribution in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. Some of the Trailblazers who attended the event include; Hon. Charity Ngilu, Prof. Maria Nzomo, Dr. Jennifer Riria, Rahab Muhiu, Terry kantai, Hellen Nkaissery, Prof. Wanjiku Kabira among others.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify; margin-bottom:11px\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span lang=\"EN-GB\" style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Montserrat\">During Prof. Kobia’s five-years’ your term, she</span></span></span> <span lang=\"EN-GB\" style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Montserrat\">spearheaded the establishment and launch&nbsp; in 2018 of, the Trail Blazers Program, which identifies and rewards women leaders who have made substantial contributions to Kenya’s political economy. She also supported several initiatives by women or towards women’s empowerment; notably supporting the launch of the book published by the University of Nairobi’s WEE Hub <i>Conversations with Pathfinders: Kenyan Women in Politics, Leadership, Social Mobilisation and Constitution Making, </i>facilitating the launch of three autobiographies of three trailblazers for Prof Julia Ojiambo, Hon. Zipporah Kittony, and Dr Lydia Nzomo during the international women’s day marked on March 8, 2022.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:normal\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span lang=\"EN-GB\" style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Montserrat\">In addition, the Professor was instrumental in the establishment and the launch of the Dr. Joyce Laboso Gender Award, in honour of the late Dr. Laboso of Bomet County, one of the first three female Governors in Kenya. The award intended to honour women who demonstrate determination, perseverance, and courage in the face of adversity. </span></span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\">&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:normal\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span lang=\"EN-GB\" style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Montserrat\">Her contribution in championing the recognition and honouring of women’s service to the country as well as the contribution towards gender sensitive legislation catapulted her to join the ranks of these exemplary women leaders. </span></span><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Montserrat\">The initiation into the group was crowned by adorning Prof. Kobia in African regalia; a red flowing dress with white skillfully beaded cape coat and matching crown, belt and headgear before being presented to the women who broke into song and dance.</span></span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\">&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:normal\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Montserrat\">The event was organized by a coordinating committee chaired by the UoN WEE Hub Leader and Director AWSC, Professor Wanjiku Kabira together with by Dr. Jennifer Riria and Daisy Amdany and co-funded by the UN Women, UoN WEE Hub, Echo Network Africa, CRAWN Trust supported by other partners including Safaricom Women’s Business Network, Absa Bank, Re-Invent, KCB, Collaborative Centre for Gender and Development, Women in Business-The mentorship Group, Maendeleo Ya Wanawake, The league Muslim Women in Kenya.</span></span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify; margin-bottom:11px\">&nbsp;</p>\r\n', 'The outgoing Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Gender, Senior Citizen’s Affairs and Special programs Prof. Margaret Kobia was yesterday feted in a celebration held at the Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel in Nairobi.', 'full_html'),
('article', 0, 288, 501, 'en', 0, '<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<p>In case you missed the launch of \"Existential Priorities of the AfCFTA\", with insightful expert analyses &amp; perspectives, here\'s the full video</p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o15F7E-H7k\">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o15F7E-H7k</a></p>\r\n', '', 'full_html'),
('article', 0, 289, 502, 'en', 0, '<p>When the political bug bit her at the tender age of 34 in the lead-up to the 1974 General Election, not even her late father could convince her that politics was not the best option for her.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Even the struggles she had gone through during her studies in the United States between 1967 and 1970, where she obtained a degree in Education, could not convince her to remain in the teaching profession, which she later discovered was her calling.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ms Annrita Karimi blocked her ears to all the “distracting” noises, hastily resigned from her job at St Mary’s Secondary School and plunged into politics to contest the then Meru Central parliamentary seat, now Imenti South.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<p>“I had this burning ambition to lead and I believed being an MP would give me the opportunity to serve the people. Nothing could stop me from vying so I quit my job,” she said during an interview at her home in Igoji, Imenti South.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>The names of five men contesting the seat included that of fiery, bearded pipe-smoking politician Kabeere M’Mbijiwe, who had deep connections and enjoyed the support of another powerful man, then Lands minister and President Jomo Kenyatta’s point-man in the region, Jackson Angaine.</p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Intimidation, voter bribery</h2>\r\n\r\n<p>A first-timer in politics, Ms Karimi had not learnt how to brave intimidation and voter bribery, so she came a distant fourth with 2,000 votes. She gave up on politics and went back to teaching. But what followed after a successful petition filed in Nairobi against the winner, M’Mbijiwe, would define her life forever.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>“I was asked to be part of the petition, but I refused because I had no complaints, although they included my name. There were claims that the ballot boxes were open when they were transferred to the centre where counting was being done but I did not witness it. Against my wish, I was paraded as a witness during the petition,” she recalls.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<p>But when M’Mbijiwe’s win was nullified on claims of voter intimidation and oathing, her political ambition nudged her. How it happened, she has never understood even to-date; she resigned again to vie during the 1975 by-election.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Having been barred, Ms Karimi recalls that M’Mbijiwe attempted to have President Jomo Kenyatta intervene, but failed.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>“He travelled to Mombasa to see Mzee but he did not want to be disturbed. It was during the time the nation was mourning the death of JM Kariuki and there was a lot going on,” she says.</p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Won with a landslide</h2>\r\n\r\n<p>In protest against his detractors, M’Mbijiwe decided to throw his weight behind her to deny his political enemies a win. Ms Karimi won with a landslide – she cannot even remember the number of votes she got.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>“I was happy,” she says, reliving one of the few memories that light up her life; it illuminates the face of the 80-year-old with the joy of becoming the first elected female MP in Meru. But this light suddenly disappears and is replaced by a gloomy look as she goes on to narrate what became of her political career.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>In Parliament, she identified with vocal members of the House and became a champion of the oppressed, in the process not only winning admiration among her peers but also attracting criticism from her adversaries, including then Attorney-General Charles Njonjo.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>She, however, exonerates Mr Njonjo from her tribulations, saying he was being pushed by “some forces”.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>However, with M’Mbijiwe as a favourite regional point-man besides Angaine, the feeling was that her presence was spoiling the broth.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<p>What happened in early 1978 would haunt Ms Karimi for the rest of her life – she was accused of embezzling funds at St Mary’s Secondary School. An audit of the school’s accounts during her tenure as headmistress in 1972 was carried out, which allegedly established she had stolen some money.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Convicted</h2>\r\n\r\n<p>Ms Kirimi’s stint in Parliament would be short-lived since by the end of the year, she was convicted by the Meru resident magistrate on charges of stealing Sh56,510.40 and jailed for two years. Her petition at the High Court seeking to be allowed to call witnesses including auditors to give her accounts a clean bill of health and her application that sought to prove her rights had been infringed upon was thrown out. The Appellate Court struck out her appeal.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ms Karimi’s case established the principle that in matters concerning enforcement of fundamental rights and freedoms, “a petitioner must plead with particularity that of which he complains, the provision said to be infringed and the manner in which the particular right is violated.”</p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Controversial judgement</h2>\r\n\r\n<p>The controversial judgment has over the past four decades been criticised in legal circles as a travesty of justice that sought to serve the then oppressive Kanu regime.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>It has remained a “ghost” in law that is yet to be exorcised, with legal scholars debating on the legality or illegality of the decision. Many petitions have been struck out, with judges relying on Annrita’s judgement.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>She says even while in prison, some individuals tried to convict her again after her car – a Peugeot 204 – was involved in an accident that she believes was stage-managed. A case was filed at the magistrate’s court in Meru alleging that she had given out the car to an unlicensed driver. But it was struck out.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>It was while in prison that she relived her life as a teacher and wished she had listened to her father, who had pleaded with her not to get into politics.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>She recalled how Nicholas Biwott, who was later to become President Daniel Moi’s era power man, introduced her to a college in the US while he was working in Meru as a District Officer. At the time, she had just completed her training and was teaching at a primary school.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>“I had a friend who worked in his office and one day when a vehicle came to pick her up, Biwott was inside. My friend had told me he was a good man and had helped many students secure scholarships,” she recalls.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>“Since I had expressed my desire to study abroad, she introduced me to him. He looked at me and asked softly, ‘which college do you want to join?’ I had no idea so I kept quiet. He drew some brochures from the glove compartment and handed them over and said, looking ahead: ‘Go and try your luck.’ The vehicle drove off and when I went back to the house, I spent the whole day studying the brochures,” she says.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>While in jail, the Loreto Convent alumna recalls, her mind would wander to the US, where she had painstakingly endured college life in Minnesota on a Catholic Church scholarship, wondering whether her decision to get into politics was worth it.</p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Never married</h2>\r\n\r\n<p>I ask her why she did not remain in the US and perhaps get a suitor and live in the ‘land of opportunities’. She smiles at the thought, but quickly dismisses it, saying that would have been selfish given she had left behind her child in the care of a friend. A mother of two daughters and a son, Ms Karimi has never been married.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>The jail term forced her to leave her children in the care of relatives and effectively tossed her into political oblivion. Scarred and scared, after her release in 1979, she quit politics and went back to teaching until she retired in 1994.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>She says due to the experience, she does not trust people, and does not like inviting anyone to her home.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>While it took more than a month to secure this interview, which was conducted last month, Ms Karimi neither keeps a photo album nor likes being photographed.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Currently, she is completing a house project that has been ongoing for a couple of years now, she says.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>After Ms Karimi’s experience, no woman has ever been elected MP in Meru until the 2010 Constitution opened the window for election of a woman rep.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>“I cannot say my experience scared women to the extent that they shied from contesting. But what I can tell them is that they should struggle to get into elective politics if they really want to make a mark in leadership,” she says.</p>\r\n\r\n<h2>No grudge</h2>\r\n\r\n<p>As the nation celebrated Mashujaa Day, Ms Karimi said there is need to honour those who sacrificed their lives so that the rest of Kenyans could enjoy freedom.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>“For instance, the Sh2,000 senior citizens are paid comes with a lot of pain and struggle. The government should streamline the process so that the beneficiaries are able to access the money easily,” says Ms Karimi, who adds that although she was bitter about the injustice meted out on her, she has forgiven those who sent her to jail.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>“I have no grudge against anybody. I turned the other cheek and left all my problems to God, who has been the source of my strength especially with my failing health in old age. My children have also been very supportive otherwise I would not be alive today,” she says.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Story credits&nbsp;https://nation.africa/</p>\r\n', '', 'full_html'),
('article', 0, 290, 504, 'en', 0, '<div style=\"text-align:start\"><span style=\"font-size:small\"><span style=\"color:#222222\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-variant-ligatures:normal\"><span style=\"font-weight:400\"><span style=\"white-space:normal\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\"><span style=\"text-decoration-thickness:initial\"><span style=\"text-decoration-style:initial\"><span style=\"text-decoration-color:initial\"><font face=\"garamond, times new roman, serif\"><font size=\"4\">You are invited to tune in to KBC English Service ( Radio) to participate in the final dissemination exercise</font></font><span style=\"font-size:large\"><span style=\"font-family:garamond, &quot;times new roman&quot;, serif\">&nbsp;scheduled to take place this Thursday, January 12, 2023, from 8.00 am.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align:start\">&nbsp;</div>\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align:start\"><span style=\"font-size:small\"><span style=\"color:#222222\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-variant-ligatures:normal\"><span style=\"font-weight:400\"><span style=\"white-space:normal\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\"><span style=\"text-decoration-thickness:initial\"><span style=\"text-decoration-style:initial\"><span style=\"text-decoration-color:initial\"><font face=\"garamond, times new roman, serif\"><font size=\"4\">In this final session of&nbsp;phase two dissemination, the Women Enterprise Fund (WEF)&nbsp; CEO Dr.(Eng.) Charles Mwirigi shall be hosted by the KBC English service to discuss access to funding/credit through WEF. This is an important session and we encourage you to share it widely with the&nbsp;audiences so that&nbsp;more women participate&nbsp;in the interactive session.</font></font></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align:start\">&nbsp;</div>\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align:start\">&nbsp;</div>\r\n', '', 'full_html'),
('article', 0, 294, 509, 'en', 0, '<p>Download&nbsp;UoN WEE Hub Newsletter Vol 1: issue 01. JAN 2023 <a href=\"/sites/default/files/newletter/WEE-HUB-NEWSLETTER-VOL-ISSUE-01-JAN-2023.pdf\">HERE</a></p>\r\n', '', 'full_html'),
('event', 0, 295, 510, 'en', 0, '<p style=\"margin-bottom:11px\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:107%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-size:10.5pt\"><span style=\"line-height:107%\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">The UoN WEE Hub shall mark International Women’s Day in collaboration with tech giant Google on March 7<sup>th,</sup> 2023 at UoN Towers Main Campus. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:11px\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:107%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-size:10.5pt\"><span style=\"line-height:107%\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Women leaders, entrepreneurs, and women in academia will be introduced to Google tools for business management as the WEE Hub shares research findings on Women and Digital Economy for Gender Equality to identify gaps and opportunities for women’s participation in the tech space. &nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:11px\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:107%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-size:10.5pt\"><span style=\"line-height:107%\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">The event activities are aligned with this year’s International Women’s Day theme <b><i>Digital Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality.&nbsp; </i></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>\r\n', '', 'full_html'),
('gallery', 0, 296, 511, 'en', 0, '<p style=\"margin-bottom:11px\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:107%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-size:10.5pt\"><span style=\"line-height:107%\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">UNAIDS Executive Director and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Ms. Winnie Byanyima delivered a Public Lecture on February 8 2023 at the University of Nairobi Main Campus.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:11px\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:107%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-size:10.5pt\"><span style=\"line-height:107%\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Her speech themed <b><i>‘Can we end the injustice of AIDS in the world and be prepared for the next pandemic?</i></b>’ highlighted key forms of inequality perpetuating the AIDS pandemic in Africa. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>\r\n', '', 'full_html'),
('gallery', 0, 297, 512, 'en', 0, '<p style=\"margin-bottom:11px\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:107%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\">The Women’s Economic Forum Kenya 2023 was a 2-day event held on February 27<sup>th</sup> and 28<sup>th</sup> 2023. </span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:11px\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:107%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\">The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Gender and Affirmative Action was the chief guest.</span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:11px\">&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:11px\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:107%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\">Keynote speakers at the event were H.E Christopher Thornely, Canadian High Commissioner, Daisy Amdany, Executive Director, CRAWN Trust, Dr. Mary Mbithi, Director Research UoN WEE Hub, Ann Mutavati, Country Representative UN Women, Leah&nbsp; Kaguara, CARE Kenya Country Director, and Prof Judith Waudo, Lead Kenyatta University WEE Hub. </span></span></span></p>\r\n', '', 'full_html'),
('article', 0, 298, 513, 'en', 0, '<p style=\"margin-bottom:11px\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:105%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:Montserrat\">WOMEN\'S ECONOMIC FORUM KICKS OFF</span></b></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:11px\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:105%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:Montserrat\">By Emilly OwIti</span></b></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify; margin-bottom:11px\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:105%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:Montserrat\">The government of Kenya has set aside 50% of the KES 50 billion&nbsp;Hustlers’ Fund for women-owned businesses. Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Gender Affairs and Affirmative Action Hon. Aisha Jumwa announced during the launch of the Women Economic Empowerment Forum held at Safari Park Hotel today.</span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify; margin-bottom:11px\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:105%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:Montserrat\">This annual conference launched by CRAWN Trust in 2021, now in its third year, brought together over three (300) hundred women from both private and public sectors to advocate for the economic emancipation of the “forgotten middle” made up of small Holder farmers, fisherwomen, small scale farmers, and traders.&nbsp; The two-day event features panel discussions, keynote speeches, power talks, and dialogues on women’s economic empowerment.</span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify; margin-bottom:11px\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:105%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:Montserrat\">In attendance was the Canadian High Commissioner to Kenya, Christopher Thornley, PS Gender and Affirmative Action, Veronica Nduva, and the UoN WEE Hub team led by the Director of Research, Dr. Mary Mbithi representing the Hub Leader Prof. Wanjiku Kabira. The KU WEE Hub leader Prof. Waudo, UN Women, Care Kenya, KEPSA, and representatives from academia, civil society organizations, government, and entrepreneurs were among the delegates.</span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify; margin-bottom:11px\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:105%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:Montserrat\">In acknowledging the challenges women face, CS Jumwa urged women entrepreneurs to exploit existing affirmative action funds and LPO financing recently introduced by WEF to enable women-led businesses access government procurement opportunities (AGPO). The opportunities include funds such as Uwezo, Micro, Small, and Medium enterprises, and remodeling of WEF for digital and short-term lending. “These Products are aligned to the five priority areas in the Kenya Kwanza administration’s nine-point economic transformation agenda on gender equality and women’s empowerment,” the CS said. The priority areas include; agricultural transformation, MSMEs, housing and development, healthcare, digital superhighway, and the creative industry.</span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify; margin-bottom:11px\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:11.75pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:Montserrat\">During her presentation, Dr. Mbithi reiterated that dealing with poverty, climate change, and hunger was critical to&nbsp;the&nbsp;economic emancipation of women. She emphasized the need to support the participation of women in the labor force through green, efficient technologies in order to increase productivity citing the massive gender inequality in Kenya. The UoN WEE Hub sponsored and led two panels on; <b>Women’s Economic Empowerment priority areas</b> and<b> The Power of Women Collectives to Drive Economic growth, informed by the research conducted by the Hub and the Priority Agenda for WEE. </b>CRAWN Trust Executive Director, Daisy Amdany lauded the Ministry of Public Service, Gender Affairs, and Affirmative Action for the support pledged towards women’s economic empowerment efforts. The event concludes on February 28, 2023.</span></span></span></span></p>\r\n', '', 'full_html');
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