Empower women by making it easier for them to access credit

Vihiga Women Rep Beatrice Adagala issues Sh100,000 cheque to Majengo Saloon Group during issuance of the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) cheques to youth and women groups at Mbale market, on May 17, 2024. [File, Standard]

In my house, my son and I are outnumbered. It's just the two of us against my wife and our two daughters. If you think that's just my personal experience, think again. Across Kenya, the statistics tell the same story - women outnumber men.

According to DataReportal (2024), Kenya's population stands at 55.65 million, with 50.4 per cent female and 49.6 per cent male. This means that for every 100 men, there are approximately 101 women. Despite being the majority, women still lack fair access to credit and capital. As we gear up for the International Women's Day on March 8, we must ask - What progress are we celebrating if financial exclusion persists? This is not to deny past progress.