County launches Sh400M program to empower over 7,000 women

What you need to know:

  • Lea Mtoto Africa to support single mothers below age 35
  • More than 7,000 women to benefit
  • Sh400 million set aside for the program
  • Women also trained on sexual and reproductive health

Uasin Gishu County over the weekend launched a program, Lea Mtoto Africa, where they set aside Sh400 million to empower more than 7,000 single women.

The project under the department of Cooperatives and Enterprise will enrich women aged below 35, with entrepreneurial and professional skills, to enable them make a living.

The women from the 30 county wards will benefit once they register with a cooperative.

“We asked them to register in cooperatives so that we give them the money (Sh400 million),” said County Executive in charge of Cooperatives and Enterprise Ms Esther Mutai.

The official said the county would support Lea Mtoto Africa on how to maximize scholarships in vocational training institutes to enable the young women acquire technical skills.

“As a county, we thought it wise to give them an opportunity to grow. We train them on different ways to earn a living. We want to empower single women because they face many challenges,

“They lack capital for start-ups, their level of education is low, others have children and cannot afford to educate them,” said CEC in charge of Education Joseph Kurgat.

The CEC in charge ICT, Trade and Industrialization Dr Emily Kogos, described the initiative as a unique ‘phenomenon’ because it gives women, who have been forgotten by the society, an opportunity to acquire skills that enable them put food on their tables.

“As trade department, we have spoken to them on the availability of funds to enable them start businesses or expand their existing businesses,”

“Such empowerment will enable the women to become independent as they provide for their families and contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the county,” said Dr Kogos.

INUA BIASHARA FUND

Dr Kogos said Small and Medium Enterprises contribute to about 97 per cent of the GDP, hence the need for members of Lea Mtoto Africa to form groups so to access to access the county's Inua Biashara Fund, which will empower them economically.

Speaking at the project launch, the CEC in charge of Health Services Ms Evelyn Rotich, said there is need to instil knowledge to young girls regarding sex education.

She explained that there are counselling services, antenatal and post-natal care and contraceptive services offered at the county hospitals for young mothers.

Ms Rotich advised the women on the need to understand preventive measures and management of HIV and STI's to stop the spread. The women were also asked to take care of their reproductive health.

At the same time, department of Livestock is offering the women technical knowledge in poultry and husbandry practices. According to the Chief Officer Livestock Dr Victoria Tarus, 105,333 one-month-old chicks will be given to the women groups as soon as the training is complete.