Boost women and youths
What you need to know:
- Many more women cannot access the money because they have no investment skills, while others have yet to form groups to be able to borrow.
- Many more women cannot access the money because they have no investment skills, while others have yet to form groups to be able to borrow.
The establishment of revolving funds to enable women and the youth to start businesses is an attempt to redress a long-term problem — the traditional marginalisation of the two groups.
Many women with good ideas for business or even agricultural enterprises have often found themselves unable to make any headway.
To the government’s credit, the funds are up and running in some areas, although a lot more work still needs to be done. According to
Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru, Sh5.3 billion has been disbursed but only Sh2 billion has been channelled to the intended beneficiaries.
Many more women cannot access the money because they have no investment skills, while others have yet to form groups to be able to borrow.
The challenges that have existed for generations cannot be eliminated overnight, even with the best of intentions. With such affirmative action, the handicaps faced by the beneficiaries are eased.
It is, therefore, disappointing that funds are now available, but the would-be beneficiaries continue to wallow in poverty.
There is a need to mobilise and sharpen the ability of women and youths to take advantage of this opportunity to improve their welfare and boost the economy.
