Ushiriki Wema, an economic empowerment programme, has announced plans to uplift more women and youth entrepreneurs through provision of resources, advocacy, and networking opportunities.
The programme will operate under the umbrella of the Ushiriki Wema initiative, conceived by Tessie Musalia, the spouse of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.
Sintoyia Kasaine, Chief Executive and Programs Director of Ushiriki Wema’s women and youth empowerment initiative, stated that they intend to expand existing outreach programmes which currently benefit the elderly, persons with disabilities, and initiatives focused on maternal and child health, as well as environment, health, and sanitation, to now also include women and youth.
“I want to take a moment to express our appreciation to each of our partners. Your commitment to our mission, demonstrated through your support and collaboration, is the reason we have made significant progress in uplifting lives and building resilient communities,” Kasaine said.
The meeting brought together new partners, including Equity Group, Huduma Kenya under the Ministry of Public Service and Human Capital Development, Ajira Digital and KEPSA under the Ministry of Information Communications and the Digital Economy, and Fanaka Network, a tech solutions and data management entity.
Kasaine explained that the programme for women and youth empowerment will be driven by a shared vision that helps these groups navigate current challenges and seize new opportunities to foster innovation and job creation.
“These two sets of members within our society are key drivers to the growth of the country’s economy. What we want to see is an impactful change that will touch lives through empowering the women and youth to live dignified lives.” Kasaine remarked
She emphasized that the shared vision serves as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through collaborative efforts aligned with a common goal for the betterment of communities.
“The unwavering commitment from our existing partners, alongside those who have recently joined us, is a clear indication of a venture geared towards touching lives and building a just society for all. As Ushiriki Wema we take into consideration the support in our day-to-day engagements as we look forward to getting more and more like-minded partners for this course.” noted Kasasine.
She said the programme will also aim to empower women and youth entrepreneurs, fostering sustainable economic growth and positioning its members as global leaders in innovation, inclusivity, and business excellence.
“We will be advocating for a conducive commercial, trade and investment environment that supports the expansion and success of women and youth lead enterprises, elevate the stature of women entrepreneurs, enhance their access to local and international markets and facilitate meaningful connections with financial institutions and development partners.” said Kasaine.
“For the youth our core mandate will be to engage, educate and elevate the youth to embrace digital innovation, enhance financial literacy and to help the youth forge strategic partnerships, paving way to combat unemployment and address youth marginalization effectively.” she added.
The Equity Group was represented by Charity Nkirote, Senior Manager for Women and Youth Banking; FANA Networks was represented by Senior Director Elizabeth Rop; Ajira Digital was represented by Fauziya Mbarak, Private Sector Engagement Specialist; and Huduma Kenya was represented by C.E.O. Ben Kai Chílumo.
