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First Lady, Mama Rachel Ruto, has called for strengthening and implementation of policies tailored towards women empowerment.

Mrs Ruto challenged non-governmental organisations and State agencies to implement policies that advocate for gender equity and inclusion.

She urged for strengthened interventions aimed at advocating for policies and actions that promote gender equity and ensure equal opportunities for all.

Rachel stressed the need for synergies in the implementation of women empowerment initiatives, arguing that empowered women can be major contributors of development in a society.

She underscored the importance of inclusivity and empowerment of women in various social scopes.

“We have a call of duty to invest in the potential and wellbeing of women, knowing that the empowerment is not just the right thing to do but a catalyst for progress in every sphere of life. When we invest in a woman she not only transforms her family but the entire community,” she said during the celebration of the International Women’s Day in Kisumu town.

The First Lady revealed that an empowerment programme recently rolled out in selected women’s prisons across the country was significantly transforming lives.

According to the First Lady, cross-stitch project being undertaken at Langata, Nakuru, Shimo la Tewa, Kakamega and Kitale Women’s Prisons is unlocking the economic fortunes for many women as over Sh25 million has been paid out to those who have made cross-stitch pieces.

She announced that since its inception the programme has benefitted 1,200 women who have been trained on cross-stitch with over 7,000 lives impacted indirectly.

“Through cross-stitch we have seen women become economically empowered. This has enabled them to educate their children and take care of their families while behind bars,” she said, adding that the programme has made it easy for the inmates to be accepted back into the community once they leave prison.