Gatundu North tea plucking women have been urged to form groups so as to benefit from Uwezo Fund loans.
Speaking in her office on Monday, Jane Nyokabi, the deputy director of Uwezo funds in the sub-county noted that many women residing in Gatundu have not been able to attain the requisite threshold that is needed for them to qualify for the Uwezo Fund which is sponsored by the national government.
‘Women must participate actively in forming self-help groups to strengthen capacity among them and thereby initiate gainful projects and programmes that will uplift the standard of life for their families,” said Nyokabi.
She added, “Women must remain focused to grasp the many upcoming government opportunities aimed at empowering them, but surely if they don’t unite, many of these opportunities are group oriented and thus they miss the point.”
Nyokabi said the government has already set the pace for those wishing to benefit from the available loans and told those who are yet to join existing women groups to do so.
“I am in dire pain as I call women in this programme that was initiated with an aim of empowering them and more so those in rural areas. My biggest worry is that many of the women who pluck tea in this region are yet to appreciate the programme,” said Nyokabi.
Nyokabi noted with concern that there were gaps that required to be filled to ensure that there is harmony between the various positions in the group that women are to join.
“Participatory approach must be adopted by those aspiring leadership positions as well as those who will be led,” said Nyokabi.