Property Ownership Trends Among Young Women in Nairobi

Abstract

The study explores property ownership trends among young women in Nairobi. The main objective of the study is to determine property types owned by young women and to establishing these property ownership trends. The theoretical framework guiding this study is the empowerment theory in feminist literature and the concepts of access to and control of resources as a means of empowering women in society. The study illustrates the important linkages between access to or control of resources and empowerment of women. A total of 100 respondents, 80 females and 20 males were randomly sampled and interviewed using structured open ended and close ended questionnaires. The analysis showed that there is a wider range of types of property that younger women can own. The study also shows a clear correlation between the type of property owned and controlled by younger women to the age and marital status of the woman. Educational levels of the women on the other hand had no direct correlation to the types of property that younger women own. The study recommends the setting up of a proper policy and regulatory framework that will address gender inequities in accessing and controlling property. Awareness creation is necessary to change negative cultural attitudes and practices that inhibit women's access to and control of resources.