AWAK - Association of Women in Agriculture Kenya

📢At the AECF Side event on Investing in Women during #AGRF2023, we confronted a stark reality: Women in African agriculture face monumental barriers that deny them fair access to markets, land, and the capital they need. These barriers are rooted in deep-seated social and cultural norms. What does this mean for investors? 📌Beyond conventional capital assessments, it's time to gather specific data on enterprises and their impact on women, crafting measurable, monitored gender transformation strategies at the investment level. 📌It is critical to prioritize the collection of sex-disaggregated and enterprise-disaggregated data, embedding this within fund and investee executive teams and draw inspiration from institutions with successful products for women-owned SMEs and those in agricultural value chains. 📌Recognize that gender empowerment isn't just about social impact; it catalyzes business performance and economic growth. Dispel the misconception that making finance accessible to women-owned SMEs is costly – often, it's the attitudes and systems that require adjustment. Our focus should be on transformation, not just inclusion. At @AECFAfrica we firmly believe that by empowering women, we can spark a revolution, creating an equitable and prosperous future for all. Join us on this journey of transformation. #InvestingInWomen #AGRFinDar