The national and county governments have been challenged to put in place policies and programmes that will economically empower women.
Thika West MP Alice Ng’ang’a who addressed members of Wanawake Twaweza initiative on Sunday, said the country cannot continue ignoring the enormous human resource wielded by women and must focus on ways of harnessing their potential.
“Women are a powerhouse and have the potential to accelerate development especially at the grassroots,” said Ng’ang’a.
Wanawake Twaweza initiative is a women growth focused group with a membership of 100 in the sub county. It objective is to improve the welfare of women.
The weekend launch targeted women in Kiandutu, Makongeni, Section 9 and the Jua Kali areas. The funds raised were distributed to the women programmes projects in Thika region.
Margret Watiri, the initiative’s patron regretted that most women in the region were doing menial jobs to fend for their families, adding that deliberate programmes should be put in place to empower them.
Watiri said among the womenfolk are potential entrepreneurs and innovators.
She said much needs to be done to harness their potential and ensure that all women would access credit.
Women have been identified as the cornerstone in the achievement of the country’s development blueprint Vision 2030 but their effective participation can only be achieved if they are empowered economically.
The MP donated Sh250,000 in aid of the programme that will see women start small businesses such as salons, green groceries and cosmetic shops.