Factors Influencing Participation of Rural Women in Self-help Groups in Kenya: a Case Study of Malava Constituency, Kakamega County

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to explore factors that influence participation of rural women in self help groups in Malava Constituency, Kakamega County. Specifically, the study sought to establish what motivates women to form self-help groups, the socio-economic and cultural factors that influence participation and how policies influence participation in self-help groups. Relevant literature on self-help groups in relation to social and economic development was reviewed. The study adopted descriptive survey design. Focus group discussions, survey questionnaires and key informant interview guides were used to collect data. The study was conducted in two wards. These were Shirugu-Mugai and Chemuche in Malava Constituency. The study established that there were several factors that motivated rural women into joining self-help groups; including accessibility to SHG loans, ability to invest, improvement of economic status, social interaction as well as being empowered. Findings from the study revealed that most women tend to join self-help groups for economic, social and cultural reasons. It was also evident that despite the existence of policies, their functionality in the study area was low due to knowledge gaps. Finally, the study recommends that there is need to support women in self-help groups if they are to achieve their objectives, the institutions tasked with giving loans, should make them easily accessible to the women; the integrity of officials in institutions dealing with women self-help groups should be enhanced to eliminate doubt from members; there is need for all stakeholders to sensitize the rural women on the available products in regards to self-help groups; there is need for all stakeholders to educate rural communities on the need to embrace development through self-help groups and discard stereotype beliefs; community sensitization should be carried out in regard to SHG with a view to building capacity among the women