Socio-economic impact of women enterprise fund on the livelihoods of women in Kenya (a case study of Thika)

Abstract

This research was carried out to find out the Socio-economic impact of Women Enterprise Fund on the livelihoods of women in Kenya with specific reference to Theca district. Specifically the study sought to: ascertain types of income generating activities supported by WEF; investigate the socio-economic impact of Women Enterprise Fund on the livelihoods of women in Kenya: establish whether Women Enterprise Fund has reached the target beneficiaries and to establish the challenges faced by the Women Enterprise Fund in improving the livelihoods of women in Kenya. Literature review and theoretical framework was conducted and the study was therefore anchored around Social Cognitive Theory of gender development and differentiation, Rational Choice Theory, Feminism and Empowerment theories.

Survey research design was used in this study. The researcher interviewed respondents in the population by administering a standardized questionnaire to them. Survey research design was utilized because it made it possible to collect data from large or small populations (sometimes referred to as the universe of a study). A total population of 62 respondents was thus interviewed based on a list provided from the data bank of WEF office of Thika Constituency under Central regional office. From the study it is found that after starting the business women s status has been increased in the fami ly and in the society thanks to WEF. Now they can enjoy freedom in their decision making and also can contribute in family decision making due to the fact that they can also now contribute in the family econornicallv.