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'.