Enhancing Women Participation in Decision Making Creates an Enabling Environment for Achieving Gender Equality and Sustainable Development.

 

In our Pillar 2: Women and Youth Agro-enterprises and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) development for employability and Self-reliance. 

https://twitter.com/womenlimited

Women's role in decision-making in family affairs, community and local institutions is necessary for increased political representation and sustained political involvement of women in every development matter. Giving women a voice in family matters, community and access to leadership positions at the grass root level is the first step, which is then followed by supporting women at the ward, sub county, county and National levels.

   

Women are more likely to participate in both private and public decision-making if they have greater knowledge, economic assets and income-earning capacity which in turn increase their self-esteem and confidence. Economic empowerment means access to productive assets, land, water, markets, finances and technologies.  Improved well-being for rural women requires improved infrastructure and essential services, changes in women's workload, better health, training and education. Giving women secure access to land can transform their lives both economically and socially.

Support from family members and local leaders is also essential and they need to be made aware of the importance of women being involved in any development initiatives not as spectators but active participators in making decisions.  Women's groups and organizations like Women Business Hub have proved very effective in giving women collective power and influence.