As the world prepares to celebrate International Women’s Day, Busia County Women Representative Catherine Omanyo has been recognized by the Isuzu Women Council for her outstanding advocacy in gender equality, education, and women empowerment.
Omanyo, known for her strong stance on human rights and equality, has garnered both national and international recognition for her efforts. Her work has made her a role model in Busia County and beyond, inspiring many to champion the rights of underserved communities.
Her impact extends beyond advocacy, as she has spearheaded various projects aimed at improving the lives of Busia residents. Through her mobilization of resources, she has worked tirelessly to create opportunities for women and other marginalized groups.
In recognition of her efforts, the Isuzu Women Council will honor her on March 7, 2025, at Isuzu East Africa’s International Women’s Day Celebration. The event seeks to acknowledge women who drive positive change and create lasting societal impact.
“Your efforts have inspired many and continue to create a lasting impact. We would like to honor you at Isuzu East Africa’s International Women’s Day Celebration, where we will recognize inspirational women who accelerate action and create meaningful impact in their respective fields,” wrote Mary Mwelu from Avid Public Relations of BSD Group on behalf of Isuzu East Africa.
Omanyo has been a strong advocate for education, having offered full scholarships to over 50 students in the past two years. Additionally, she has supplied 50 schools with water tanks and facilitated the drilling of 100 boreholes to ensure students have access to clean water. She has also successfully lobbied for the introduction of government lunch programs in semi-arid sub-counties like Samia and Teso North, significantly reducing school dropout rates.
On gender advocacy and empowerment, Omanyo has supported over 215 community groups through the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), offering grants to boost businesses and agricultural ventures. She believes that poverty is a key driver of gender-based violence (GBV) and has focused on economic empowerment as a solution.
Omanyo remains committed to enacting policies that promote gender balance and economic opportunities for women in rural areas. “I owe it to society to help women because an empowered woman leads to an empowered society,” she stated.
Her relentless efforts in education, human rights, and economic empowerment have earned her this well-deserved recognition from Isuzu East Africa, reinforcing the importance of women’s leadership in shaping a better society.
