Inaugural AGPO Conference: Spotlighting Gender Responsive Procurement and Women’s Economic Empowerment in Kenya

The Inaugural AGPO Conference, held at Strathmore University on 20th June 2023, brought together more than 100 women entrepreneurs, as well as government officials and representatives from the private sector.

The conference, themed “Enhancing Women’s Economic Empowerment through Gender Responsive Procurement,” was organized by Strathmore University Business School (SBS) and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) with the support of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

One of the highlights of the conference was the presentation by Prof. Ruth Kiraka, the Project Lead for the Growth and Economic Opportunities for Women (GrOW) Program. Prof. Kiraka shared the findings of a research study that focused on interventions aimed at improving women’s access to and participation in public procurement opportunities in Kenya. The goal of these interventions was to promote economic empowerment among women.

The research findings provided valuable insights into the current state of women’s participation in public procurement in Kenya. It also sparked discussions among the attendees, including women entrepreneurs, government representatives, and private sector stakeholders, on how to further enhance women’s economic empowerment through gender-responsive procurement practices.

The conference further played a significant role in advancing the understanding and dialogue around women’s economic empowerment in Kenya, particularly in the context of public procurement opportunities.

Juliet Hinga