Factors influencing empowerment of Women on management of group projects in Winam division, Kisumu Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that influence empowerment of women on management of group projects in Winam division, Kisumu East, Kenya. This study was designed to fulfill four objectives: Influence of trainings and literacy, influence of community and culture, influence of ICT Infrastructure and influence of access to financial resources on management of group projects. The study was significant in the attempt to unearth women groups in making correct choices on the management of their group projects thus reduce their poverty rate. The study adopted descriptive survey targeting a population of 8133 women in Winam division. The sample selected was 366 women through simple random of which 296 women responded by duly filling the questionnaires. The study used structured questionnaires as the main tool of data collections .. Validity of research instruments was done through review by supervisors whilst ensuring clarity in language in order to capture the relevant data. To ensure reliability in the research instruments, pilot-test was conducted in Kondele location. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics especially the use of frequency tables and percentages Of the 296 respondents, 67.9% confirmed that there was influence of skills and knowledge from the trainings on management of their group projects with 65.87% of the respondents confirming that there was improvement in their participation in management of group projects attributed to the trainings.70.27% of the women respondents said that the rights of members had improved while 74.6 % acknowledged improvement of members' status through group association. However only 32.77% of the respondents said that their groups were accessible to computer services, 66.55% of the groups confirmed that ICT influenced management of their group affairs. The study found out that 76.69% of the respondents were aware of agencies that provide funds to women groups but only 32.44% of the women groups had access to credit or grants from the government and NGOs,. The women groups that borrowed loans from financial institutions were 38.85% while 65.54% of the groups completed their group projects from accessed financial resources, with 71.62% recording improvement in management of group projects through keeping of financial records. The study concluded that adult literacy should be promoted to address the high rate of illiteracy of women as that could be a challenge to the women fully benefiting from the trainings organized by the government, CBO and NGOs. Women need to be empowered more on usage of ICT. Women in Winam should be encouraged to register at the Ministry Youth and Gender and Social Services and go for loans and grants from the financial institutions. Women's participation in management of group projects, their rights as well as their status had also improved. Further the research confirmed that there was improvement in management of group projects through keeping of financial records. The study proposes that further research be carried out to determine factors that hinder empowerment of women, leadership styles and strategies that donor agencies use to influence empowerment of women in management of group projects.