Special Feature: OWIT-Nairobi

OWIT - Nairobi was launched in April 2001. It was the first chapter of OWIT in Africa, and is a leading forum for networking, education, information dissemination, professional growth and leadership. Members include: women entrepreneurs, women in import/export trade, manufacturing, graphic design, tour and travel, sales and marketing, public relations, logistics, transportation, freight forwarding, accountancy, law, consultancy, banking and finance and information technology. Despite challenges such as the lack of consistent sources of funding, the chapter takes pride in the achievements of a core group of committed women take pride.

Lydiah Waithaka, President of the OWIT-Nairobi Chapter, describes the milestones:

• Our seminar on Women in Trade: Accessing New Markets in May 2004 placed OWIT on the Kenyan business map. The Minister for Trade and Industry, Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, gave the keynote address. This seminar led to the establishment of the Gender Office in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, an office that has been very helpful to our women.
• A follow-up seminar on Capacity Building for Women Entrepreneurs, held in November 2006 and with a keynote address by the Minister for Finance, Hon. Amos Kimunya, led to the government considering setting up a fund to help women grow their businesses. This agenda by government is the headlines of the news today. Most business women in Kenya know OWIT.
• As a result of our achievements within the period of our existence, OWIT- Nairobi has now become the focal point of various women's key activities. We are invited to participate in all important events and activities involving business women and our opinion is sought in various issues that affect women in business.
• In this connection, we are currently representing Kenya at COMESA's [Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa] Federation of National Associations of Women in Business (FEMCOM) and we have been given the mandate to reconstitute FEMCOM in Kenya. I was in Zambia as the Chairperson of OWIT for the FEMCOM Meeting in October 2006 and will be in Cairo on 2nd - 4th April 2007 for the follow-up Meeting. All 20 COMESA countries are represented.
• In the same connection, we are in the heart of the Growth Oriented Women Enterprise (GOWE) Development project of the IFC, AfDB and others. We are seen as the prime movers towards the success of this project.
• We have also been identified as a key organization in the selection process of those women in business to benefit from the Danida-funded MBA Scholarships. Our members will continue benefiting from this programme for as long as Kenya remains a beneficiary starting this summer.
• Our membership has grown tremendously (from 25 - 80+) and with the above developments, we expect a huge boost. Our list of members and associates includes 380 women.
  

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