2023, Otieno, Hellen N., Kiraka, Ruth N., Kiraka, Ruth N.

This policy brief draws on evidence from an in-depth Kenya Country Study conducted by Strathmore University Business School researchers. The research project2 focused on the effectiveness of the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) initiative in enhancing women’s participation in public procurement and promoting their empowerment. Based on evidence from 25 counties, a key finding is that the AGPO initiative contributes to women’s empowerment. However, some barriers limit women from actively participating in and fully benefitting from the AGPO programme. This brief delves into specific barriers that undermine women’s participation and highlights gender responsive interventions that can help the government to achieve gender equality in public procurement.