Ask many Kenyans what comes to mind when they think of women, and the answers come fast and from the heart: strong, resilient, wise, beautiful.
Women are the pillars of our homes, the drivers of progress, and the heartbeat of our communities.
They have carried the weight of families, businesses, and entire nations on their shoulders. But in 2025, the conversation is shifting from how much women can endure to how much they can thrive.
At Ngemi 3.0 held on International Women’s Day, we asked attendees what knowledge and skills they believed every woman should have. Two stood out: financial literacy and self-love.
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Money is power
For too long, women have been sidelined from key financial conversations, but that era is fading.
More women are investing, saving, and securing their future because independence isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.
Self-love, on the other hand, is more than just a feel-good mantra. It shapes confidence, decision-making, and the courage to walk away from spaces that don’t serve you. But it’s also about stepping into opportunities, embracing growth, and celebrating oneself unapologetically.
As one Manyatta Cider fan at the event put it, “Once you have self-love, it opens so many doors.”
And what better way to toast to self-love and progress than with Manyatta Cider, a brand that’s not just about great flavour but also about championing cultural celebration and empowerment?
Their latest Pineapple & Mint Can, unveiled at Ngemi 3.0, symbolised a fresh, bold step forward, just like the women shaping our future.
Women lifting women
It’s easy to say, “We support women,” but actions speak louder. Throughout the night, changemakers shared the real steps they’re taking to uplift women, not just in words but in action.
One psychologist, who had come to enjoy the festival, shared, “Every time I meet a woman in need of help, I do it for free, actually.”
For some, empowerment starts with business. “I’m trying to grow my business as far as I can so that I can employ as many people, especially women, as possible,” one entrepreneur shared.
Others are shaping the next generation. “I volunteer to mentor younger girls in campus and high school,” said another attendee.
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And then there are those who make it their mission to open doors. “Having interns, pupils, and any woman under me, just enabling them and giving them opportunities, that’s what I’m doing for women.”
True empowerment isn’t just mentorship; it’s breaking barriers and ensuring women have the space to thrive.
So, what do women really need to succeed? Support. Opportunities. Respect. The rest? They’ve got it covered.
With every door they open, every business they build, and every young girl they inspire, one truth is that when women win, society wins.
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