ABSTRACT
Microfinance is one program that has helped women from various spheres to understand
how they can take advantage of the situation and empower themselves for improving
their livelihood. Despite the development of many NGOs and microfinance programmes
in Narok County, the participation of women is still very low. Women are faced with
many challenges which could be addressed through the MFP yet many of them remain
intimidated by factors such as culture that denies them the chance to raise their voice in
protest. The purpose of this study was to determine factors influencing women
empowerment through microfinance programmes in Central Division, Narok North Sub
County. The specific objectives of the study were to evaluate the influence of financial
security, influence of culture, influence of leadership and the level of information access
on women empowerment through microfinance programmes in Central Division, Narok
North Sub County. The study adopted the women in development theory from which the
conceptual framework was developed. A descriptive research design was adopted for this
study. The target population comprised of 50 women groups with a maximum of 12
members affiliated to KWFT in central division of Narok North sub County. The sample
size constituted of 10% of the target population resulting to a sample of 60 women. A
questionnaire was used as the data collection instrument. The questionnaire was pilot
tested to test for validity and reliability. Data analysis was done using descriptive
statistics of frequencies and percentages computed using SPSS software version 21. The
findings of the study were presented using tables and figures. The study established an
association between financial security and women empowerment through microfinance,
the study also established that there is an association between women empowerment and
the socio-cultural factors among women who participated in microfinance programmes.
The study also established that there was a significant association between information
access and women empowerment through participation in microfinance, the study
established that social intermediation had the highest association with women
empowerment through participation in microfinance programmes. Based on the findings
the study concluded that social intermediation and access to information have the highest
influence of the empowerment of women by participation in microfinance. The study also
noted that there was a moderately positive significant correlation between the four
variables combined together. The effect of the relationship was explained by the R-square
which indicated that women level of empowerment increased by 20% given the four
factors. The study concludes that women empowerment is influenced by social
intermediation, information access, socio-cultural factors and financial security. It was
also concluded that the findings of the study support the theory of women empowerment.
It recommends that policy makers should consider the effectiveness of social
intermediation in ensuring women empowerment other than focus on financial security.
The findings of the study are expected to be beneficial to the community, the
microfinance institutions and other stakeholders who benefit either directly or indirectly.
The Government also is expected to benefit through improved implementation of
community development projects and development at the community level generally.
Tumo, J (2021). Factors Influencing Women Empowerment Through Microfinance Programmes In Central Division Of Narok North Sub County, Kenya. Afribary. Retrieved from https://track.afribary.com/works/factors-influencing-women-empowerment-through-microfinance-programmes-in-central-division-of-narok-north-sub-county-kenya
Tumo, Jackline "Factors Influencing Women Empowerment Through Microfinance Programmes In Central Division Of Narok North Sub County, Kenya" Afribary. Afribary, 08 May. 2021, https://track.afribary.com/works/factors-influencing-women-empowerment-through-microfinance-programmes-in-central-division-of-narok-north-sub-county-kenya. Accessed 06 Nov. 2024.
Tumo, Jackline . "Factors Influencing Women Empowerment Through Microfinance Programmes In Central Division Of Narok North Sub County, Kenya". Afribary, Afribary, 08 May. 2021. Web. 06 Nov. 2024. < https://track.afribary.com/works/factors-influencing-women-empowerment-through-microfinance-programmes-in-central-division-of-narok-north-sub-county-kenya >.
Tumo, Jackline . "Factors Influencing Women Empowerment Through Microfinance Programmes In Central Division Of Narok North Sub County, Kenya" Afribary (2021). Accessed November 06, 2024. https://track.afribary.com/works/factors-influencing-women-empowerment-through-microfinance-programmes-in-central-division-of-narok-north-sub-county-kenya