Women to Benefit from Ongoing WTO Conference

The World Trade Organization conference that is being held in the country has opened avenues for women to express their concerns in the world of business.

It was disclosed that if women are given access to loans by banks, then their input into the growth of the economy can be of great importance.

This concern was brought forth by the Deputy President Mr. William Ruto who was speaking during the International Forum on women. He stated that the government is in the process of working with financial institutions in the country that will see women access credit easily.

Mr. Ruto disclosed that about 51 women groups have been able to receive Sh.5 billion through the women and youth fund adding that the government is giving loans to women and the youth through the Women Enterprise Fund and the Uwezo fund. This is meant to enable them to be in a position to independent entrepreneurs.

Barclays Bank of Kenya, which was hosting the event promised to give Sh.5 billion which will be used to fund businesses that are being owned by women in the country. It also announced the opening of a program that will be for training on finance and it looks forward to training at least 10,000 girls and women in the country.

The President of Liberia Mr. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf congratulated the Kenya government for giving a big percentage of women an opportunity to be included in the country’s development agenda.

Kenya has got very many open opportunities for women but this will only work when the government and the private sector join hands and work towards achieving it. Women are the pillars towards the growth of any given country.

Women across the world suffer discrimination when it comes to accessing funds yet governments have set aside $1.5 trillion from the state procurement kitty for women. They only get to access 1 percent of the money.  Governments were called upon to open more opportunities for women.

The international Trade Centre (ITC), who were the organizers of the forum was able to bring together more than 350 government representatives, private sector players and women business owners across the world.

Article by Vera Shawiza.