The Governor of Kilifi County says empowering women is empowering the family, consequently leading to the growth of the economy.
Amason Jefah Kingi said women empowerment is at the core of the Kilifi County government’s transformation agenda, adding that they acknowledge the role played by women in shaping the society and complement their efforts to advance their interests through economic, social and political positions.
"By setting up a Department of Gender and appointing a Gender-balanced Cabinet, my administration is at the forefront to ensure women are empowered and offered a platform to drive change in our County and creating an environment to realize gender equality," said Kingi.
He noted that his administration was giving women and the youth an opportunity to engage in entrepreneurship programmes to create a favourable environment to expand their ventures, boost their earnings and uplift their standards of living.
"The task now lies upon us to ensure our girls have access to education and keeping them in school while at the same time sensitizing our society to shun retrogressive traditions and beliefs like early marriage and child labor," he noted adding that "We must also encourage family planning in our society as it unlocks the full potential of our mothers.
"Kingi was speaking as he joined the Kilifi leadership in celebrating this year’s International Women's Day at the Alaskan grounds, Malindi Sub-County, on March 8.