INFLUENCE OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN MICROFINANCE PROGRAMMES ON HOUSEHOLD WELFARE NAROK NORTH SUB-COUNTY, KENYA

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