As the World marked Women International Day on Tuesday, women in Ruaka want the Kiambu county government to engage them fully in development projects.
The women say that though there are programmes meant for their empowerment, they are not being engaged directly on policy and project development.
Speaking on Wednesday, the women said that both the county and the national government need to involve women in policy formulation.
“We appreciate the government efforts in promoting the interests of women through various programmes but we want to be involved in policy formulation,” said Angela Kinyua, a women coordinator in Ruaka.
Kinyua said that involvement of women in policy formulation will speed up crucial development projects. She stated that the constitution requires equal representation of men and women in development projects.
She appealed to women in leadership positions to push for involvement and engaged of more women in leadership and development positions.
The Ruaka women coordinator also asked women to be vocal and raise their concerns to their leaders.
“As women we must stand firm and raise our grievances so that we can be heard,” she said.
Sharon Kamau, a trader at Ruaka town though lauded the government for introducing women empowerment programmes.
“Many women are befitting from Uwezo, Biashara and 30 per centre tenders set aside form marginalized groups including women,” she said.
On Tuesday, during the Women days’ celebration at Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, First Lady Margret Kenyatta called on women to be steadfast and take part in development.
She called on the government and stakeholders to support programmes that will empower and boost the interests and welfare of women.