LHRC convenes over 300 women entrepreneurs in Bagamoyo ahead of International Women’s Day

LHRC convenes over 300 women entrepreneurs in Bagamoyo ahead of International Women’s Day

Posted 1 year ago

On March 2, 2023, the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) convened over 300 women entrepreneurs in Bagamoyo ahead of this year’s International Women’s Day which will be celebrated on March 8.

International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 of every year to highlight the achievements that women across the world have made but also the challenges that still exist.

This year's theme for International Women's Day is “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality.”

As part of its preparatory steps towards the day, LHRC brought together the entrepreneurs with the goal of equipping them with essential skills and strengthening their responsiveness to the proper use of digital platforms to grow their businesses.

In his opening remarks, LHRC Executive Director Anna Henga said women, especially in rural areas, play a massive role in the production of food but the means they are using are outdated, something that affects their production.

Henga said many women do not have sufficient knowledge of technology and also they do not have the income to access technology.

“Women have been left behind in the ongoing technological developments around the world,” she noted. “Only a few per cent of women own a mobile phone or have an understanding of digital and technology.”

Henga said LHRC would like to continue to call on the government during this commemoration to continue providing women with opportunities and training in technology as well as digital and marketing for their businesses.

She called on the government to enact a specific law on violence against women, something which she said has become a major problem that consumes the efforts of women and continues to make them not enjoy their rights.

“The government should also put in effective plans with a budget to ensure gender equality is properly achieved,” she suggested. “It needs to continue to educate the community about gender equality and women's rights.”

Henga also called on the government to set up special programs to help rural women with the usage of technology and how to access technological services in their communities.

Speaking during the event, the Chairman for Bagamoyo District Council Mohamed Husinga who was the guest of honour said leaders must ensure all women groups who have participated in the training by LHRC are given priority in the establishment of council loans.

“The groups must ensure that they utilise their opportunities to improve their business but also pay back on time to benefit other groups,” he said