Support women to promote development, Nandi community urged as the world marks International Women’s Day.

As the world marks the International Women’s Day, an ambitious project aimed at empowering women has been launched with calls to the Nandi community to support the efforts aimed at promoting prosperity in society.

Dubbed “Korge Arise” loosely translating to “mother arise,” the project has kicked off with training of trainers to disseminate information to society and equip women with skills with an aim of improving the economic and social welfare.

“Women in Kenya are vulnerable to male aggression and violence; they do not have their own financial independence. If we raise the status of women, we stand a real chance of improving everyone around her,” said Yulita Mitei.

Korge arise seeks to empower women economically by enabling access to microfinance for women to start businesses. It also encourages them to create self-help groups, equip them with financial and leadership skills and secure their access to livestock assets.

“By empowering women financially, we strengthen women’s voices and bargaining power within her home and the community. If you empower a woman you’ve empowered a family and a whole Nation,” said Mitei

Speaking to Northrift Mirror, the Deputy Governor said other key areas that the trainings touch include nutrition education and the value of medical insurance.

The training also seeks to demystify the suppressive roles that women have occupied in society including spending hours collecting water and firewood, being left out in decision-making and denying them access to education, land and employment.

“Traditional ideas about the roles of girls and women restrict their contributions to Kenya. These ideas hold women back from contributing to important development goals; especially in the areas of economic growth, nutrition and food security,” she said.

Mitei said it was important to let the community know that women who enjoy freedom have higher potential of supporting their families by engaging in income generating activities.

“Gender norms hold women back from reaching their maximum potential. Women have less access than men to credit, markets and training. Males typically control household income and assets, deciding how to allocate and spend the funds earned through their wives’ labour,” said Mitei.

He added, “Women, especially those living in rural areas, often depend on land to generate income. Yet, in Kenya, women only own one percent of agricultural land – a small amount considering their crucial contributions to agriculture, food security and nutrition. Women’s lack of ownership and control over land represents one of the widest gender disparities in Kenya.”