April 01, 2024

Women’s Learning Event: Empowering Kenyan Women in Agribusiness

Kenya

At 2SCALE, championing gender inclusion is central to our approach, reflecting our commitment to empowering women in agribusiness. Through targeted strategies and interventions, we aim to elevate the role of women, ensuring they are key beneficiaries and drivers of agricultural growth and innovation.

On March 21st, 2024, in commemoration of International Women’s Day, we celebrated another milestone of this commitment. In partnership with Hand in Hand Eastern Africa and UN Women, we hosted the Women’s Learning Event in Meru County, Kenya. With the theme ‘Investing in Women: Accelerating Progress in Agribusiness,’ the event, second of its kind, emphasized the growing impact and significance of women in agriculture, setting a new benchmark for what can be achieved through women empowerment initiatives.

Building on the dialogue of last year’s theme, "Uniting Minds, Inspiring Change," this year's event focused on the critical role of inclusive support in promoting sustainable growth and innovation in female-led agribusinesses. The event attracted a diverse group of over a hundred stakeholders, including women entrepreneurs, farmer groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and government representatives, all united to support and celebrate the role of women in agriculture.

The goal of this year’s Women’s Learning Event was to create a platform for knowledge exchange, advocacy, and the development of partnerships that foster the economic empowerment of women in agriculture. By focusing on integrating sustainable practices and innovative technologies, the event aimed to equip female entrepreneurs with the tools and insights necessary to navigate and succeed in agribusiness.

Moses Muriithi, Programme Assistant at UN Women, emphasized the value of such gatherings,

Such a platform is very important for all actors. It is important to bring people together, including farmers. Through these interactions, they can share ideas, and learn from each other's experiences, which results in accelerated progress.

Special emphasis was placed on nurturing entrepreneurship, enhancing innovation adoption, and strengthening networks that support women’s active participation in the agricultural sector, aligning these initiatives with global efforts to achieve gender equality and sustainable development.

Women are getting more involved in agriculture. We are committed to ensuring equal access to resources for all genders, with inclusive capacity-building sessions that leave no one behind.

Phyllis Githii, Programme Officer for Gender and Advocacy, Hand in Hand Eastern Africa, added.

Experiential Sharing by a Successful Woman in Agribusiness

A highlight of the event was the experiential sharing session, where Edith Mwirigi, a farmer and Director at Meru Dairy Union, shared her inspiring journey in agribusiness. In 2013, just two years after starting her dairy farm, Edith was recognized for having the highest milk production in her cooperative, which led to her election as an honorary secretary of the society. Despite initial hesitations about the society's performance, her leadership helped transform it through initiatives that encouraged farmers to increase milk production and supply directly to the society. Her proactive approach and clear vision also propelled her to election as a delegate and later as a director at Meru Dairy Union, marking her rise in leadership.

When I started dairy farming, I decided to take it seriously and fully invest my time and resources into making it profitable. I also participated in capacity-building sessions from Meru Dairy Union to improve my farming practices. My cows currently produce up to 180 kgs per day, providing me with a reliable income. The journey to leadership was not easy, especially as a young woman facing highly experienced and established opponents. Despite doubts about my capabilities, I drew strength from the support of those who believed in my vision and the work I was doing. Winning the election and becoming a Director at Meru Dairy Union was a pivotal moment for me. I attribute this to my success and dedication to dairy farming. I am proud to be a farmer and a woman in agribusiness!

shared Edith Mwirigi.

Women Leaders in Agribusiness

During the event, there was an insightful panel discussion on navigating challenges and celebrating resilient women in agriculture. This session featured women in leadership positions in agribusiness who shared their unique experiences across different agricultural value chains, offering insights into overcoming barriers and fostering a spirit of resilience and collaboration among women in agriculture.

Leah Wanjiku, from Simply Foods Limited, explained,

A big challenge for women in agribusiness is access to finance. In most cases, the men own the land and run the financial books. However, we have received support and training on navigating access to finance. We have been introduced to banks, and we now know how to look after our financial books. That is why we are excelling in the formal market. We will not stop going, and that is why we are at this event; to make sure we keep learning. The learning journey never ends.

The participants also had the opportunity to engage in an interactive exhibition space. This allowed for a dynamic exchange of ideas, with various stakeholders showcasing their products, innovations, and interventions.

The participants’ engagement and eagerness to learn throughout the various sessions, from the panel discussions to the exhibition, has been remarkable. This highlights the importance of development partners coming together to invest in creating platforms for women to learn and promote their growth in agribusiness.

Explains Lilian Nzilani, Gender and Women Economic Empowerment Consultant, 2SCALE.

The Women’s Learning Event has strengthened partnerships and outreach, highlighting the commitment of stakeholders across the public and private sectors to empower women through enhanced access to resources, training, and networks. With continuous collaboration, we will be able to break down barriers and foster an environment where women can thrive in agribusiness.

Check out the highlights of this event:

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