Editor,

Women have often lamented that lack of financial capacity to do businesses is one of the setbacks that impede their development in the region.

However, the just concluded regional conference on women resolved that East African member states should carry out specific awareness training programs for women entrepreneurs on existing regional /international treaties, policies, protocols and legislation to enable them identify opportunities and benefits entailed therein.

Important to note also is that the meeting recommended that partner states should enhance access to credit and other financial services as well as promoting women financial capacity through the establishment of Savings and Credit Co-operatives (SACCOs) and other micro-finance institutions.

This means that women will be equal participants in regional intergration.

We should work together as one people to empower women and motivate them for the benefit of our region.

James Kayitana
Nyarutarama