Maendeleo ya Wanawake Chairperson Esther Nyokabi during her visit in Naivasha, called on women in the area to invest in businesses and take opportunities offered by women funds to improve lives.
Nyokabi told the women that investment in business would definitely help them in times of difficulties faced in life.
Nyokabi argued that many women in the area have been forced into unwanted sexual relationships or wife inheritance because they did not own any property and therefore urged them to have at least a source of income to depend on, especially during hard times.
She was addressing a women’s baraza at Kihoto area where she repeatedly appealed to the women to engage in small businesses as a means of earning an income.
“It is unfortunate that most women have to rely on their husbands for basic necessities including food and shelter. With small businesses, including operating a small kiosk, many could become millionaires and we have many case studies to prove this,” advised Nyokabi.
Nyokabi called on women to buy and own property, citing that the myths that women could not own land or real estates were backdated.
“It is not necessary that we, as women, must have joint property with our husband. We could as well register some property to our own name so that in case of our husband’s death, God forbid, then we will not be disturbed or thrown out by our in-laws as witnessed in many cases,” advised Nyokabi.
She also reminded women that the new constitution now gave equal rights to men and women especially in terms of land ownership.
“Women should know that they steer the economy hence should not demean themselves,” added Nyokabi.