The East African Community joined the world in marking the International Women’s Day under the theme: ‘Think equal, build smart, innovate for change at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
Executive Secretary of the African Union Advisory Board on Corruption, Charity Nchimunya noted that the day is significant as it provides a platform to address various matters that affect women such as inequality and human rights abuse.
The Executive Director noted that the Day focused on innovating ways in which gender equality and the empowerment of women can be advanced.
EAC Secretary-General, Director of Productive Sector, Mary Makoffu noted that the EAC is implementing various programmes aimed at empowering women in the region.
She added that the EAC is implementing the 50 Million African Women Speak Platform to creating a dynamic networking digital stage for women entrepreneurs.
The Platform will enable women to connect with one another to foster peer-to-peer learning, knowledge exchange/transfer, mentoring and the sharing of information and knowledge within communities, Ms Makufo explained.
She stressed that it will provide them with access to trade finance and market opportunities between urban and rural areas, and across borders and between countries.
EAC-Giz Programme, Dr. Kirsten Foken, noted that they been keen on supporting women who trade across borders within the region.