On the 8th day of March every year, the world marks International Women's Day to, among other things, celebrate women's achievements and contributions to the well-being of society as well as highlight some of the opportunities for women and challenges that they continue to face as they positively impact the society in many spheres.

This year, PROCMURA joined hands with the Independent Church of Africa (NICA) in Kangeta -Meru County which is one of Kenya's most populous and rural counties, to honour women's ministry in the church at the grassroots levels in today's digital world. In Meru County, just as in many other places around Africa, women face challenges such as patriarchy, inequality and discrimination.

Statistics indicate that in Africa, women make up 52% of the total population. However, a majority of that percentage continues to be marginalized in many spheres of life, with many facing a myriad of challenges, including a patriarchal society.

Additionally, several studies have confirmed that some of those challenges have remained a barrier to women and the girl child in realizing their full potential hence the need and importance to proactively and consistently raise awareness on and address the plight of women and the girl child in the society.

The celebrations which were held in Kangeta brought together various stakeholders in Meru County, who among others included, the women’s ministry of NICA, fellowship for women leaders and women from the local community to celebrate the role of women in the community and how their collective action has enhanced the church’s ministry through technology.

_{A section of the women singing and dancing during the procession.}

Bishop Stephen Kalunyu expressed his gratitude to PROCMURA for coming down to the grassroots to not only celebrate women but also empower them with the knowledge that will positively impact their lives as well as their ministry in the church.

_{Bishop Stephen Kalunyu addressing the media.}

On the other hand, the government delegation led by the area's Assistant County Commissioner Joan Syombua challenged women to take a front row and create platforms that also include the girl child to realize their full potential. While flagging off the procession of women for a walk to mark International Women's Day, the Assistant County Commissioner also called on the women to continue championing the education for the girl child to become better persons in the future.

_{PROCMURA's Team Leader - Finance & Administration Ms. Joy Wandabwa and the Assistant County Commissioner Joan Syombua join women for a dance during the flagging off of the procession.}

On her part, PROCMURA's Team Leader – Finance and Administration, Ms Joy Wandabwa, reiterated how integral women are in PROCMURA's work around the continent. PROCMURA has over the years been empowering women through capacity-building programmes more recently it has developed innovative ways through a partnership with local churches at the community level to establish Women empowerment centres that positively impact the economic and social lives of women and the girl child for example in IDP camps in South Sudan. She challenged women to embrace technology as the world is fast changing and technology is becoming part and parcel of everyday living, including the church ministry.

_{PROCMURA's Team Leader - Finance & Administration Ms. Joy Wandabwa.}

Rev Norah Njooni from NICA, who gave the sermon during the special service, acknowledged that women in the region had taken a leap forward even on matters of leadership but also threw her weight in challenging the women to take up an active role in inspiring conversations and collective action towards driving progress around issues that affect women and the girl child in their localities.

_{Rev. Norah Njooni delivering the sermon during the special service.}

PROCMURA acknowledges that empowering women and girls goes a long way in contributing to society's general economic and development growth. Its women and girl Child empowerment programme is partly informed by SDG five, which advocates for ending all discrimination against women and girls as a fundamental human right.

PROCMURA has employed proactive interventions to address some of these challenges by empowering women and the girl child through the Women and Girl Child Empowerment programme. Through the programme, PROCMURA strategically builds the capacity of women and the girl child at the grassroots levels and equips, especially those in the marginalized and vulnerable regions across Africa.