Women challenged to embrace merry-go-round, table banking for economic empowerment

By Peter Ochieng

Women in Kisumu County's Nyando Sub County and other parts of the country have been challenged to embrace merry-go-rounds and table banking for economic empowerment, which will in turn reduce, if not prevent cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV).

Speaking on Monday during a community dialogue forum targeting 200 women in Kalolo Manyatta village, Caren Wamboi Omanga, convener, Nyando Social Justice Centre said the majority of GBV cases arise from the fact that most of the women lack money to support their partners in meeting family needs.

She said they started the merry-go-round and table banking initiatives in 2018, enabling them to purchase water tanks and gas cookers for some of their beneficiaries, all geared towards preventing GBV cases in homes.

The water tanks, she added, come in handy in ensuring that girls and women don’t get sexually violated while in search of water, while cooking gas ensures that women can cook on time. She cited a case involving one of their beneficiaries, who was battered by her husband for failing to prepare food early, with rainfall having prevented her from getting firewood on time.

The initiatives, Omanga added, have led to a remarkable positive turn around in the area. As more women get empowered into starting businesses no matter how small they are, and fending for their families, GVB cases are on the decrease.

With over 70 champions in Nyando, Omanga said the initiatives are working, adding that they can easily be replicated anywhere. “We don’t need rocket science to be able to speak on our issues. We know our issues and we also know our solutions,” she said.

“If it is working with us, why not?” she paused.

George Okoth Okeyo, one of champions and beneficiaries admitted that he was a drunkard and wife batterer. He mended his ways the moment he was sat down, counseled and allowed his wife to join the table banking program.

“She was enrolled in the table banking program, and now as we speak, she is an entrepreneur, she is running her own business,” stated Okeyo.

Through the program, Nyando Social Justice Centre won the best innovators award in access to justice in Kenya, spearheaded by BarefootLaw, a nonprofit organization which empowers masses with free legal information.