Compiled from: Riruta Economic Empowerment Committee www.reec.co.ke
Gender equality for a long time now has been believed to be the cornerstone for development in any given economy. When men and women are given equal opportunities in the society, there will be a tremendous reduction of poverty, the economy will flourish and the health of children and mothers will improve. The problem however is that in most societies, women are usually marginalized. They restricted from actively taking part in building the economy. Women economic empowerment is the process of giving women an opportunity and ability to work in order to improve their livelihoods. It can also be described as the capacity for women to contribute and benefit from growth processes and also to respect the dignity of women by recognizing their value in the society. Across the globe, women work extra hard for sustainable living but sadly most of the time their efforts go unrecognized. Women work in farms, run businesses, work as employees or employers in offices; yet they still face discrimination, poverty and exploitation. Compared to men, women are more likely to be vulnerable and insecure. They also have to struggle to gain financial access and secure assets like land and loan. Women in most societies also do not get to operate in senior positions for some reason.
Maybe we need to think about how the world would be if women and men were given equal opportunities at building the economy. The society would definitely be in better shape than it it right now. There are many reasons why women economic empowerment is important. Some of the reasons include:
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Better living standards
Women, once empowered, will not only benefit themselves, but everyone around them. Women have the ability to multiply from the little they get. Give a woman access to assets like land and loan, she will struggle to make something out of the two in order to improve not only her life but the life of the people around her as well. Healthier children
When women are empowered, they will know how to space their children to ensure that children grow healthy and strong. They will also have the knowledge on the proper feeding system and ensure that nutritional diseases are kept out of the way.
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Reduction in poverty levels
Women and children are more vulnerable to poverty and the effects of it all than men. When women are empowered, it is the first step to a long journey of kicking out poverty and ensuring sustainable living standards.
Improve gender equality
Setting aside resources to empower women economically is one way of strengthening the rights of women in the society and achieving gender equality. When women are empowered economically, they will be able to send their sons and daughters to school and early marriages for the girls would be avoided.
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