ABSTRACT

This study was intended to examine microfinance programs on women empowerment with

specific reference to Pamoja women Development Programme in Kiambu district, Kenya.

The objectives of the study were to dete1mine how development loans influence empowerment

of women by P A WD EP, to determine how group solidarity loan influence empowerment women

in Kenya, to determine how angaza loan influence empowerment of women in Kenya ..

The methods used in data collection were questionnaires, interviews, document review and the

researcher's ground observation.

From the findings it was discovered that majority of the clients were women with families with

secondary education level who owned small businesses with minimal management skills.

The fact that not only is microfinance good for women, but also women are good for micro

financing was also highlighted. The study also found out that most MFis including P A WD EP did

not have clear programmes that could train women on how to manage their business in order for

them to grow.

The conclusion made indicated that microfinance had impacted women in vatious levels

including personal, business and household and this has led to changed perception by women.

These changes in perception have led to increased participation by women in community

leadership and in some cases, political positions; and this is a level of women empowerment.

The general recommendations are that MFis especially those focused on women should initiate

business management training programs to improve the skills of women on how to mn their

business inorder for them to grow from small shops to large enterprises. MFis should also

follow-up on the women and their businesses to ensure their businesses mn smoothly and if they

is potential for expansion can provide the necessary funds.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ...................................................................................... i

APROVAL.. ........................................................................................... ii

DEDICATION ....................................................................................... .iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ......................................................................... .iv

ABSTRACT ........................................................................................... v

TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................... vi

LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................. vii

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ..................................................................... vii

CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................... I

1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 1

1.1 Background of the study ....................................................................................... !

1.2 Statement of the problem ........................................................................ 3

1.3 Putpose of the study .............................................................................. .4

1.4 Objectives of the study ........................................................................... .4

1.5 Research Questions ............................................................................... 5

1.7 Significance of the study ......................................................................... 5

1.7 Scope of the study ................................................................................. 6

1.8 Conceptual framework ............................................................................ 6

CHAPTER TW0 ...................................................................................... 7

LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................ 7

2.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................ ?

2.1 Definition of Concepts ........................................................................ 7

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2.2 An overview of the MFIS in Kenya and contribution to women ....................... 10

2.3 Women and MFis Worldwide ................................................................ 11

2.4 MFis focus on women .......................................................................... 11

2.5 Why MFis have interest in women .......................................................... 12

2.6 Microfinance as agents of women empowerment. ...................................... 13

2. 7 Shortfalls of MFis as empowering agents .................................................. 14

2.8 Some bmTiers towards women empowerment. ............................................. 15

CHAPTER THREE ..................................................................................... 18

METHODOLOGY .................................................................................. 18

3.0 Introdnction ...................................................................................... 18

3.1 Research Design .................................................................................. 18

3.2 Research Population ............................................................................. l8

3.3 Sampling Design ............................................................................... 18

3.4 Data Collecting Instruments ................................................................... 19

3.5 Research Procedure ............................................................................. 19

3.6 Sources of Data .................................................................................. 20

3.7 Data Analysis .................................................................................... 20

CHAPTER FOUR .................................................................................. .21

4.0 Introduction ...................................................................................... 21

4.1 Personal Details ................................................................................. 21

4.2 Business Details ................................................................................. 23

4.3 Loan Details ..................................................................................... 27

4.4 Challenges Faced ................................................................................ 35

APTER FIVE .................................................................................... 36

Introduction ...................................................................................... 36

Conclusions ....................................................................................... 36

Recommendations ............................................................................ 37

Areas of Further Study ........................................................................ 38

FERENCES ...................................................................................... 39

PEND IX (I): Instmments ....................................................................... 40

A. Questiom1aire .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .... . .... ........................ .... .. . .. 40

B. Interview Guide ............................................................ 42

PENDIX (II): Work Schedule .................................................................. 46

PENDIX (III): Budget. ......................................................................... 47