| dc.description.abstract | The economic empowerment of women is a prerequisite for sustainable development, pro-poor
growth and the achievement of all the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Gender equality
and empowered women are catalysts for multiplying development efforts. Women's economic
participation and empowerment are fundamental to strengthening women's rights and enabling
women to have control over their lives and exert influence in society. It is about creating just and
equitable societies. In the Somali community, women often face discrimination and persistent
gender inequalities, with some women experiencing multiple discrimination and exclusion in
economic empowerment because of various social cultural factors. The purpose of this study is to
establish the social cultural factors that affect women economic empowerment among Somali
women in Garissa County. Five research questions were formulated to guide the study. Research
question one sought to determine how early marriages affect economic empowerment of Somali
women in Garissa County; research question two aimed at assessing how gender roles affect the
economic empowerment of Somali women in Garissa County; research question three sought to
establish how gender stereotyping affect the economic empowerment of Somali women in
Garissa County; research question four aimed at assessing how family responsibilities affect the
economic empowerment of Somali women in Garissa County while research question five sought
to establish how community perceptions towards women affect the economic empowerment of
Somali women in Garissa County. The study employed descriptive survey design. The target
population for this study was all members of 50 women from 5 women groups that are being
funded by NGOs in Garissa County. The target population also included 5 members of the
executive among the 5 NGOs working for women empowerment programmes. The sample
comprised of 75 women leaders among the women's group and 20 NGO officials among the
NGOs. Data were collected by use of questionnaires and focus group discussions. Findings
reveated that early marriages affected women economic empowerment. For example, it was
revealed that the community practiced early marriages which hindered girls from accessing
education and therefore diminished women participation in economic activities. It was also
revealed that girls were married off at a tender age and if that practice was stopped, many Somali
women could be empowered. The study also revealed that gender roles affected women economic
empowerment. For example, women were pressured to stay at home, look after children and care
for the husband and family which limited women from economic development as women had to
cope with taking care of their families. The study also revealed that gender stereotyping affected
women. economic empowerment. The study further showed that family responsibilities affected
women economic empowerment. For example, women roles in the family, such as child bearing
hindered their economic empowerment. The community believed in women staying at home
while the Somali customs do not recognize women economic empowerment. The Somali
community valued women who stayed at home to look after children. The study concluded that
women should be socially empowered to change their attitude towards themselves and hence take
up economic activities. It was also recommended that there is need for men to share gender
responsibility so as to give women a chance to participate in economic activities. There is also
need to have capacity building for women so that they can overcome the different challenges they
face in order to take up economic activities. The study suggested that a study on the influence of
government policy on gender empowerment and its effect on women participation in economic
activities should be conducted. It was also suggested that since the study was taken in one
administrative division, there is need to carry out a similar study in another area to compare the
findings. | en_US |
