First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto has donated Sh1 million to the Professional Association Of Nyanza (PANY) Women.

Speaking on Friday during the launch of PANY's Women strategic plan for 2024-28 at Serena Hotel, Nairobi, Mama Rachel commended the women for taking up the initiative.

"I would like to support the organisation PANY with a small donation because I know you are doing a lot for the women of Nyanza and the women of Kenya. I would like to present Sh1 million to support," she said.

Acknowledging the association's logo which shows a headshot of a woman with her hair shaped like Africa,  Mama Rachel urged the members to continue 'carrying' Kenya and the entire continent.

"I see you carrying the continent of Africa and I must say the logo is well thought of because it is the nature of women to carry. I want to encourage you not to just carry the Nyanza region. Carry Kenya and carry Africa," she said.

At the same time, she noted that Kenya has and continues to make strides in advancing women's rights and opportunities.

This includes the enactment of laws to protect women's rights to the implementation of policies aimed at ensuring gender equity and empowering women.

Some of the significant milestones, she said, are initiatives including the Elimu Tuikakayo Programme and the Girls' Education Challenge Fund.

Unveiling his ambitious plan to transform the country by 2027, President William Ruto recently said they are prioritising the enhancement of the Women Enterprise Fund progressively from Sh4.5 billion to Sh13.5 billion in the next three years.

This, the First Lady said, is to increase the number of women taking up the fund.

She added that the application process was digitalised, removing intermediaries that hampered its architecture.

Mama Rachel also acknowledged the availability of the Hustler Fund, which also benefits women and the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO), which is reserved for women, youth and people with disabilities. 

The leadership of PANY Women describes it as a "pestle and mortar- tradition for all African women. It celebrates the union of women coming together, working for a common cause. It remains our iconic feature".

Present were Second Lady Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, ICT CS and PANY Patron Eliud Owalo, Gender CS Aisha Jumwa and her education counterpart Ezekiel Machogu.

Others were Labour CS Florence Bore, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru and  Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss among others.