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Women under the Tirinyi Vendors Association in Kibuku's Tirinyi Town Council have expressed concerns that they may struggle to access the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) funds due to stringent requirements.

"The requirements, including collateral, business licenses, loan budgets, and guarantors, may seem simple, but rural women may fail to fulfil them," said Ketty Kayendeke, the association's chairperson. "We suggest the government review these conditions to make the program more accessible."

Many rural women were initially told that the program would provide loans without security, apart from a 10 per cent annual interest rate. However, they were later surprised to learn that they needed land titles to access the funds.

"This has made most businesswomen avoid the GROW fund because they cannot afford the requirements," Kayendeke explained.

The GROW project aims to address structural barriers hindering women-owned businesses, including financial inclusion and access to business development services. However, the government clarified that GROW funds are loans, not grants, requiring collateral like land titles, which many women lack.

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