Kenyan Gets Standing Ovation after Her Impressive Presentation at a Women's Conference in New York

A Kenyan woman received a standing ovation from the audience following her impressive presentation during the ongoing Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Angelina Francis, a farmer from Kitui County delivered a speech on how rural women have benefited from a grassroots farming technology project. The project helps members access information as well as share ideas to boost their farming skills and market their produce.

The project encourages women to purchase smart phones and have WhatsApp groups, where they empower each by sharing best farming practices.

“All my hard work would go to waste when middlemen buy the produce at a throw-away price."

“I am proud to stand here in New York to address the CSW because of technology, despite my lack of education while I have left behind those with degrees."

"I am happy to say that given the opportunities and right exposure, women in the rural areas can go places and do a lot to improve their lot,’’she told the audience at the Armenian Convention Centre’s Guild Hall.

She said she had purchased a motorbike (which she rides) to transport her tomatoes and maize to the market. Through the initiative, she shifted from a 'hand to mouth' businesswoman to a producer of tomatoes and maize planted on her two acres of land.

Winrose Nyaguthii, another Kenyan woman also made a presentation on how a grassroot project had helped women in championing for their rights.

“Communities from these counties with a population of about 22,000 have come together to champion their needs and demand their rights while the organisation’s secretariat offers them technical and financial support,’’ she was quoted by the Nation.

This year’s theme is “Commission on the Status of Women Centres on Challenges and Opportunities in Achieving Gender Equality."