Kenya is expected to be hosting the 18th edition of Organisation of Women in International Trade (OWIT) Conference from the 25th October in Nairobi.
The conference which brings together women entrepreneurs drawn from global OWIT chapters, financial institutions, NGOs and policy makers will be focusing on ways of ‘bridging the gap’ and enable the entrepreneurs to dialogue on core issues that make it difficult for women entrepreneurs to access new opportunities and markets.
Mucha Mlingo, President, OWIT Nairobi Chapter says,”As a global organisation solely comprising of women in international trade, we are aware of the challenges that women in global trade have to face. This conference is an opportunity for different actors to come together and find solutions to these challenges while providing a platform to network and interact.”
Adding that the conference is an opportunity for women in Kenya and across the globe to discuss and address and action on the pressing issues that hinder women from participating in global trade.
The forum coming at a time when the country is yet to fully implement the two third gender rule which will see more women given leadership platforms.
‘’There is a need for more women need to participate in international trade. It is only through better policies and processes that more women will venture into the lucrative opportunities that global trade offers. OWIT’s objective is to ensure that the market is open to more women traders’’ said Ms. Mlingo.
The number of Kenyan woman in leadership continues to shrink despite the Constitution recognising women, youth, persons with disabilities and ethnic minorities as special groups deserving protection.
