On International Women’s Day, March 8th, the world unites behind a pledge to #BeBoldForChange to help forge a better and more gender inclusive working world. As part of a shared passion for addressing many of the economic and employment hurdles faced by women everywhere,
The women’s empowerment initiative that began in 2014 as a pilot program with 140 women, has reached 199,120 Kenyan women in just three years. All have received access to expertise, advice and training developed to open new employment opportunities for women and accelerate regional economic growth. The successful program is now expanding to a new phase with a new curriculum for participants and an additional 1 million Kenyan Shillings
The public-private partnership aims to address and remove barriers women may experience by providing access to loans and grants to enable them to start their own business. Participants receive business and financial skills training, assets including coolers, and access to peer networks through a business club for mentoring and ideas sharing. With tremendous success to date, the initiative also represents the single largest global program in the
Having participated in the program, Seline Achieng of Lurambi Hope Women Group was previously a small-scale trader, and started selling soft drinks to boost her retail shop's income. Currently, Ms. Achieng is planning to expand her business to Busia County by opening a distributor store.
“I have been able to increase my stock and pay school fees for the orphan relatives who are under my care," she said. "I am a dignified woman through the support I have received from WEF.”
Representatives from WEF were initially trained by the
“Overcoming the stubborn and numerous barriers that exist for women in capturing economic opportunity can make a tremendous difference both to individual lives but also in supporting regional economic growth,” said Dr. Susan Mboya-Kidero, group director, women’s economic empowerment, The
More on Journey
- 2016/17 Sustainability Update
- 2016/17 Sustainability Update: Women's Economic Empowerment
- 2016/17 Sustainability Update: Women's Economic Empowerment Infographic
- Introducing Orange Vanilla Coke and Orange Vanilla Coke Zero Sugar
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