Work harder to improve your lot, women challenged

By Philip Mwakio

Kenya: As the world marked the International Women’s Day, women in Mombasa ushered in the great day with a call for them to work harder in life. Mombasa-based transformational life coach and real estate agent, Leila Awale, said over time women had withstood various challenges that had ended up shaping modern day society for all to thrive.

“Though progress has been slow, there is much that women and in particular girls have attained. We should salute all women and urge them to keep up the tempo,’’ she said.

Ms Awale was the chief guest at the annual MPower Women Trade Exhibition at the Nyali Centre (Naivas) co-sponsored by The Standard Group. She said there was need to empower more women to be self-reliant.  Awale said the society could create an enabling environment for women’s empowerment.  “We have to get real. We have to make it work, for women and girls. I believe in believing – because what else are we going to do? We have to keep dealing with these issues, and fighting for women’s empowerment in any way we can,’’ she said.

“This is the first ever trade exhibition organised by women for the women of Mombasa that was held on the occasion of the International Women’s Day,’’ Caroline Njoroge, a member of the Local Organising Committee said.

MPower Limited organises the Annual MPower Women’s Trade Exhibition, which is the initiative of women professionals and entrepreneurs in Kenya.

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MPower was founded in 2012 by an independent group of women, originally members of the Phoenix Ladies Group, who have the vision to economically empower women. During the exhibition, which ends today, visitors have the opportunity to buy products manufactured and produced mostly by women entrepreneurs. “This fair will provide an opportunity for women who run small and medium sized businesses to showcase their products and services to customers within Mombasa and in the future, to regional and global visitors,’’ explained Njoroge.

The event is also expected to provide an avenue for corporate institutions and public bodies to exhibit their products and services alongside the SME’s especially those focused on the family.  “The exhibition is an avenue to showcase women in business and an opportunity for visitors to shop for products themselves and for the family in the market.” Janet Katisya, a director at MPower Limited said.

“The Annual Trade Exhibition will provide an excellent social responsibility opportunity for companies to sponsor local women entrepreneurs in line with national and global priorities which have identified the crucial role of women in the economic sector,” said Ms Katisya.