BAT Kenya has launched a Ksh10 million Rural Women’s Development Programme (RuWDeP), as part of its commitment to create shared value in the communities it operates.
Launched during this year’s International Women’s Day, the RuWDep aims to empower more than 1,600 women from the Oyani and Malakisi tobacco leaf growing communities in Migori and Bungoma counties respectively, who are either women farmers contracted by BAT Kenya or spouses of contracted farmers.
Through the programme which will run for an initial period of three years, BAT Kenya aims to champion women’s rights and welfare, capacity building on sustainable agriculture and business management, as well as entrepreneurship development.
“Women play a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of our communities. As part of our Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) platform Ustawi, BAT Kenya is committed to delivering a positive impact by working with various stakeholders to empower Kenyans in its value chain,” Mimi Mavuti, Head of Corporate Affairs for BAT Kenya & East African Markets, said.
“We believe that this Rural Women’s Development Programme is an ideal vehicle to not only transform the lives of our farmers, but also support them to build sustainable livelihoods.”
The RuWDeP will be rolled out in three phases, with the first phase kicking off with 285 women, and extending to 1,387 women in subsequent phases.
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