Challenges faced by members of Busara women support programme of Githurai location in accessing micro credit finance
Abstract
This study was designed to investigate challenges faced by members of Busara
Women Support Programme in accessing micro credit finance. Fieldwork for the
study was conducted in Githurai location, Nairobi, in July and August 2010. The
study sought to determine socio-cultural and economic challenges as well as
constraints emanating from the micro finance institutions which members of Busara
Women Support Programme faced in accessing micro credit finance. A total of 70
respondents and 4 key informants were systematically and purposively sampled and
interviewed.
Methods used in obtaining data for the study were library research, interviews,
focus group discussions and key informants. Data was analyzed both quantitatively
and qualitatively and results presented in form of tables and pie charts.
The findings reveal that discrimination in ownership and control of property ,
patriarchy, lack of inheritance rights for women, low levels of education, women
overdependence on their husbands for financial support, lack of savings, lack of
alternative employment, discriminatory labor market and poverty presented a
challenge to members in accessing micro credit finance. The study also found out
that micro finance institutions had laid down the following requirements as
prerequisite to accessing loans: registration of the group, savings, being in operation
for at least 6 months. These posed a challenge to the members (especially women)
when accessing micro credit finance.
It is therefore recommended that micro finance intuitions, government, private
sector and NGO'S should look for alternative ways to make women 'bankable'.
Citation
Master Of Arts in Gender and Development StudiesPublisher
University of Nairobi Institute Of Anthropology, Gender And African Studies