The Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) has started the implementation of the policy on women empowerment to foster national development.
Speaking in Busia County on Wednesday, KIPPRA executive director Dr. Eldah Onsomu said they want to ensure there is development among all groups that are marginalized.
“We are implementing a program leveraging on empowering women and implementing policy that has been approved by the government on women empowerment. The policy is aimed at leaving no one behind through capacity building for various groups through those who are marginalized across all the 47 counties.
Onsomu added that through the program, women, people with disability, marginalized groups and youth will be trained and empowered through capacity development for them to be able to contribute to the nation’s development.
She further said that implementation of the policy will play an important role in the planning and development of a nation.
“We will also ensure we monitor the implementation of child care and the women empowerment policies because of how important they are for better planning. If we empower those left behind, national and sustainable development are assured,” she said.
Onsomu indicated that there is policy in place on women empowerment which is emphasizing on using evidence to influence the implementation of programs to help in monitoring and ensure sustainable development.
She further urged women from Busia County to take advantage of the program so that they can benefit.
“Ensure that even as you work you take care of children, their nutrition, education and the training so that you are able to take advantage of the various opportunities from the government projects including support for women and SME’s”
The Director disclosed that they have been supporting the government initiative of tree planting to ensure the country attains 15 billion trees by 2032.
“We have so far planted 135000 trees and this quarter we have been able to plant 9500 trees and that’s one of the functions of our institute to complement the government initiative” she said.
By Salome Alwanda and Rodgers Omondi
