http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/161340 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:56:53 GMT 2026-04-08T20:56:53Z http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/167898 Strategies that Work for Women’s Economic Empowerment Kabira, Nkatha; Ombara, June; Akoth, Brender This publication is based on a study by Kabira & Ngunjiri (2024) that explored the impact and contributions of the Women’s Movement and Self-Mobilization in Kenya during both the pre-independence and post-independence periods. The study documents stories of women’s journeys, highlighting their successes and challenges. The narratives portray women, not as victims of their circumstances but as heroines characterized by determination and resilience. The book from which these strategies are drawn offers chronological and historical accounts of women’s self-mobilization towards economic empowerment. In another earlier study (Kabira et al., 2018), discuss how women have navigated historical, socio-political, and legal spaces to challenge the mainstream knowledge, in their journey towards a transformative and just society. The promulgation of the constitution of Kenya in 2010 marked significant progress in addressing systemic barriers and creating opportunities for Women’s economic empowerment (WEE). However, more effort is still needed to establish a sustainable policy framework that addresses economic disparities between genders. WEE is widely recognized by governments, international development institutions, and businesses globally as essential for human progress, thriving economies, and business success. It is apparent that WEE yields multiple benefits, contributing to the overall goal of strengthening global gender justice and serving as a launching pad for future interventions in feminist movements. Women’s Economic Empowerment is a powerful tool for change, promoting gender equality, and delivering greater benefits to communities and nations. The extent to which economic inclusion can be achieved for marginalized groups, including women and girls, depends on supportive structures such as a strong women’s movement. The movement should advocate for policy reforms that promote economic opportunities. Addressing the wide range of issues affecting women globally calls for strong partnerships among various stakeholders involved in the ecosystem of women’s economic empowerment. It is essential to invest in women leaders and networks to enhance their capacity to advocate for these important policy changes. Research conducted by UoN WEE Hub under the Women in Business Incubation (WBI) project highlights that the informality of most women’s businesses significantly hinders their access to financing (UoN WEE Hub, 2022). This lack of formalization often prevents them from participating in schemes like the Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS). A Study Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/167898 2025-12-01T00:00:00Z http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/167897 Replicating Strategies that Worked for Women in the 2010 Constitution-Making Process in Networking and Alliance Building for Women’s Economic Empowerment (NABWEE) Mutua, Agnes Meroka; Wanjiku, Diana Anne; Akoth, Brender The Networking and Alliance Building for Women’s Economic Empowerment (NABWEE) Project of the University of Nairobi, African Women Studies Centre, Women Economic Empowerment Hub (UoN-AWSC WEE Hub) under cluster 4 Project 2 (C4P2) seeks to evaluate what works in networking and alliance building by replicating the strategies that worked for women during the Constitution making process (1990-2010). The women’s movement has made remarkable progress, culminating in gains in the 2010 Constitution of Kenya. Owing to this, the WEE Hub decided to replicate the strategies that worked for women during the Constitution-making process to influence policies, regulations, and programs both at the national and county levels through the NABWEE. The NABWEE Project, therefore, aims to evaluate what works in networking and alliance building for WEE by utilizing best practices for women’s self-mobilization in influencing policies, programs, and regulations for WEE. By building a network of women leaders, women entrepreneurs, and women’s rights advocates, NABWEE aims to create a space where women can use evidence generated through research to self-advocate for WEE. The Project’s purpose is to galvanize the creation of networks of women’s organizations and women’s entrepreneurs to promote a shared understanding of issues affecting Women’s Economic Empowerment and the strategies that work for the full realization of women’s economic rights, and leverage on strengthening synergies among policies and programmes that target women. The Alliance aims to contribute in promoting mutual support and accountability towards ensuring that women entrepreneurs tap into the available opportunities within the local and international markets. Using the research conducted by the UoN-AWSC WEE Hub on strategies that work for women’s self-mobilization for WEE, NABWEE aims to support women entrepreneurs and women’s organizations in mobilizing and advocating for Women’s Economic Empowerment. The NABWEE Project was launched in collaboration with CRAWN Trust in February 2022, following the development of the project design, concept, and work plan in 2021. The Project aims to support the establishment and sustainability of women’s networks in Kenya. These networks are important vehicles for women’s self-advocacy; hence, NABWEE seeks to support self-advocacy by women. Monitoring Survey Report Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/167897 2025-12-01T00:00:00Z http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/163759 Assessing What Works for Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) in the Implementation of Kenya’s Credit Guarantee Scheme Mutua, Agnes Meroka; Ochieng, Dalmas Omia; Muthoka, Sila; Muricho, Deborah Kenya’s Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) was established as part of the presidential economic stimulus package in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medium, small and micro enterprises. In order to contain the pandemic, the government put in place measures such as the closure of public spaces and restriction of movement. These measures had long term and adverse consequences for many businesses. Enterprises such as hotels, restaurants and private schools lost most of their business and had to lay off staff and some even shut down. The cost of essential services, such as transport also increased significantly, thus affecting enterprises that rely on these services. Thus, even retail businesses use transport services to move their goods from one point to another were significantly affected. Other measures such as the dusk to dawn curfew also affected many businesses, particularly those in the informal sector which tend to operate on flexible working hours. In order to cushion MSMEs and to support their recovery, the CGS was established and anchored in law under the Public Finance Management (Amendment) Act (2020). This Act amends the principal Act, which is the Public Finance Management Act (2012), in order to provide for the establishment of the Credit Guarantee Scheme and to vest the National Treasury with the mandate of implementing the scheme. This amendment came into force in August 2020, and thereafter, the National Treasury passed the Public Finance Management (Credit Guarantee Scheme) Regulations, to operationalize the scheme. In December 2020, the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury announced an allocation Kshs. 2 billion to this scheme. In the 2021 national budget, a further Kshs. 1 billion was allocated the scheme. Seven mainstream banks, including ABSA, Diamond Trust Bank, Co-operative bank, Credit Bank, Stanbic Bank, NCBA and Kenya Commercial Bank were then mandated to roll out loans under the scheme. The CGS allows banks to issue loans that are backed with the government guarantee, so that if borrowers default on repayment, the government covers up to 25% of the initial loan principal amount. The Credit Guarantee Scheme provides an opportunity for MSMEs to access credit at a subsidized collateral percentage. Collateral is one of the main challenges for MSMEs in accessing finance. The shared risks by the governments on 50-50 basis enables banks to request a lower percentage of the collateral required as compared to normal loans. This is meant to enable increased access to credit facilities by MSMEs. Technical Report Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/163759 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/163661 Evaluating the Effectiveness of Incubating Women’s Collective/Group Businesses for Replication Mutua, Agnes Meroka Presentation before Technical Committee Wed, 05 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/163661 2023-04-05T00:00:00Z