The Women Enterprise Fund (WEF) has disbursed Sh894 million to over 144,120 women groups countrywide.

Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development PS James Nyikal said the main objective of the Fund is to economically empower women by providing them with access to affordable credit.

Dr Nyikal said: "This is unlike mainstream banks and other financial service providers that demand security such as title deeds and log books, which traditionally women could not own."

The PS made the remarks in a speech read on his behalf by WEF CEO Samuel Wainaina during presentation of cheques to women groups at the Changamwe Social Hall, in Mombasa, on Thursday.

A total of Sh2,280,000 will be disbursed to 49 groups in Changamwe, Likoni, Mvita,Kaloleni and Matuga.

So far Coast Province have received more than Sh5 million.

Nyikal added the fund is a long-term noble intervention that seeks to reduce poverty by presenting opportunities to women to realise their full potential.

"Empowering a woman economically translates to multi-benefits for the family, community and nation. This will in turn translate to improved household income leading to better nutrition, housing, clothing, healthcare and education," the PS noted.

He said the Government has put measures in place to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in compliance with Millennium Development Goals and the Vision 2030.

"As we endeavour to improve economic status of women, it is imperative that we take cognisance of their numerical power and hence the need to put proper measures in place to ensure proper utilisation of the fund if rural woman are to be integrated into money economy," the PS added.

Other than financial support, WEF is working on how best to realise its other mandates namely:

Capacity building beneficiaries, facilitating local and international marketing of goods and services produced by beneficiaries, attracting investment infrastructure that support enterprise and supporting development of linkages between micro, small and medium women oriented enterprises and big business.

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