| dc.description.abstract | The last three decades have globally, regionally and at country level witnessed a greater visibility
and attention on gender issues especially women’s empowerment. However the journey to
women’s empowerment has faced constraints such as lack of easy access to the funds among others
which lead to lower participation of women in micro credit finance and the economy at large as
not much can be done without funds. Their contribution to economic growth has been
underappreciated and under supported over the years. This study therefore aimed at testing the
economic and social activities women engage to bring about empowerment and recognition in
today’s world. The majority of them are engaged in small income generating self-employment in
agriculture and non-agricultural activities with low prospect for growth. many women in the rural
areas prefer investing in farming and making of kiondos with sisal while those in the urban regions
where there are more resources would rather get products at low prices and sell them at a
reasonable price getting profits which they reinvest and save up for other projects. Women
economic empowerment has been recognized as one of means for economic growth poverty
reduction. It seeks to increase women access to the factors of production through special credit
facilities and other modes of financial access. As a result this tends to reduce the incidence of
poverty among them if, well deployed and managed strategies have been put to place. This also
increases employment and household income thereby leading to sustainable economic
development among women. The objectives include to investigate the level of financial
intermediation through microcredit access, social intermediation through subsidized products and
social services which include education and health to assess the wellbeing of those individuals and
positive impact on their saving power. Rural women’s saving capability differed significantly
before and after their membership in microcredit funds. In other words, their membership in these
funds had a positive impact on their saving power. The limitations of these study include illiteracy,
early marriages, family structures, lack of social awareness and job status. This study will assist
reach the different counties, the unbanked as it will provide sensitization and awareness on the
Microfinance Institutions products and services. These institutions will provide financial
intermediation, social intermediation and social services which will assist the community as a
whole. This study also assist women access the different microfinance products and use them to
start and expand their businesses which improves their living standards as they are able to sustain
their families and provide the basic needs and also education which is a secondary need. This
improves their socio economic status and empowers them in the long run. | en_US |
