In celebration of International Women’s Day, Google announced the launch of its Women Will initiative in Kenya. The programme is designed to create economic opportunities for women by connecting them to digital skills and mentorship.
International Women’s Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. This year’s theme, #BalanceforBetter, underscores the importance of gender balance and parity for stronger businesses, economic opportunities and communities.
“From helping women across Kenya access digital skills and bringing together women entrepreneurs, Google is keen on developing and supporting programmes that help women build skills, get inspired and connect with each other,” said Farzana Khubchandani, country marketing manager, Google, Kenya.
According to an International Finance Corporation (IFC) report, approximately 32.2% of certified small and medium enterprises are owned by women, whereas 47.9% are owned by men. This gap indicates the importance of creating opportunities to steer growth for women in entrepreneurship, workplace growth, leadership and digital literacy.
Leading up to the launch of Women Will, Google held masterclasses across the country for small and medium business owners, job seekers and women living with disabilities. In these sessions, participants received personal skills development, business growth, digital skills, which are designed to position them for career growth and leadership.
Women Will programmes are also available in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Japan and Mexico and are rolled out in collaboration with a wide range of partners.
