The VOICE for Women’s Girls program (VOICE) participated in the 2024 International Women’s Day event in Makindu, Makueni County, Kenya.
This year’s theme was “Invest in women: accelerate progress” and it resonated well with VOICE’s objective of enhancing inclusion of marginalized populations into economic development and financial access.
A co-op member from Kimatwa SACCO leads in entertainment.
The event was attended by the area Member of Parliament and involved speeches and entertainment. The VOICE program was represented by the Country Program Officer (CPO) and the volunteer Gender Equality Advisor. In addition, members of different co-operatives, including co-op officers, within Makindu also participated.
The CPO presented a speech on the importance of women’s involvement in co-operatives and encouraged more women to join them. The chairperson of the Kimatwa Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO) reiterated the same and invited more women to join co-operatives to control supply and the marketing channels of their businesses.
In his speech, the area Member of Parliament stated he will ensure a higher percentage of tenders are allocated to women’s groups, especially in sectors dominated by men like construction, to enhance women’s economic empowerment. He added this would be made possible if women organized themselves into co-operatives.
The VOICE program works with a total of 1,842 women and 830 men in co-operatives within Makueni County. The event also presented funds to women’s groups to boost their businesses.