Abstract:
ABSTRACT
Globally, women empowerment is a key strategy of supporting women in order to overcome retrogressive aspects that have
degraded them time and again. The main aim of this strategy is to revitalize women in order to build their capacities holisti cally so as
to enable them face key challenges in their day to day lives. This study sought to examine Influence of women empowerment through
participation in microfinance programmes Narok North Sub-County, Kenya. Key specific objectives of the study was establish effect
of access to employment opportunities and to assess the effects of involvement in decision making in the family by women who
participate in microfinance on household welfare in Narok North Sub-County. A descriptive research design was adopted for the study.
The target population was 635 women of 50 women groups in Narok North Sub County. A sample of 240 women respondents took
part in the study. A questionnaire and interview guide was used in collecting data for the study. Data was analyzed using descriptive
statistics and inferential statistics and presented using tables. The results show that changes in employment opportunities and changes
in ownership of assets had a statistically positive significant relationship with the dependent variable household welfare. The study
concludes that microfinance programmes impacted the lives of women in positive ways, particularly in their access to employment
opportunities; ownership of assets and in the role of decision making in their household welfare. The study recommends microfinance
institutions to strive to put in place procedures, policies and products that will enhance participation of women in various microfinance
programmes so as to gain gender responsiveness and equity. Furthermore, research is needed on assessing the impact so as to benefit
both women and microfinance institutions in Narok North Sub- County and beyond.
Key Words: Household welfare, Microfinance Programmes, Women Empowerment, Participation
