Sunlight, a Unilever brand, has unveiled a financial literacy empowerment programme dubbed “Shika More Na Sunlight”, to enhance the skills of women entrepreneurial. In Kenya, women have long been the backbone of the economy, particularly in vibrant hubs such as Gikomba market, where many manage small to large-scale businesses.
However, many of these women face challenges such as limited access to financial resources and cultural practices that make it harder for them to succeed. Sunlight hopes its new campaign will break down the barriers women face and open new opportunities for them.
“We’ve partnered with various organizations to uplift women, providing tools and resources to transform their lives,” says Ms Alison Kariuki, Head of Legal East & West Africa, Unilever. “This year, we are proud to introduce financial independence to Kenyan women entrepreneurs to grow their businesses as we believe that when a woman is empowered, she does not rise alone. She lifts her family, community, and, ultimately, the nation.”
Ms Kariuki said this is Unilever’s commitment to ensure women have the resources they need to succeed. “This is not just an investment in women; it’s an investment in Kenya’s future,” she said.
The choice of Gikomba Market as the launch venue was symbolic, Ms Kariuki said, as it is a thriving hub of commerce driven mainly by women, yet it is also where the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs are most noticeable. She reiterated that the campaign is designed to celebrate the resilient women and spotlight their potential as agents of economic transformation.
She said Unilever aims to bridge the financial illiteracy gap by offering practical skills through courses designed for small, medium and large-scale business owners, adding that it will ensure participants gain valuable insights tailored to their business size and needs.
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