Factors Influencing The Empowerment Of Female Immigrant Workers In The Informal Sector Of Eastleigh Area, Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish the factors that influence the empowerment of female immigrant workers in the informal sector in Eastleigh, Nairobi. The area is bustling with businesses conducted mainly by immigrants from the neighbouring conflict ridden Somalia, majority are in the informal sector and a large percentage being women. The study aims to correlate the influence of government policy, poverty levels and gender equality in the empowerment of female immigrant workers based in Eastleigh area, Nairobi. The purpose is for this information to be used to improve the lives of these women who face social exclusion, discrimination and much difficulty in their bid to earn a living and survive in a foreign nation. The study adopted quantitative and qualitative research methods, and used both secondary data from literature review as well as primary data in the form of face to face interviews and questionnaires. The sample size for the study was proportion of 162 immigrant women out of 3000 employees of businesses in the informal sector in Eastleigh who meet the characteristics to be measured. Data was analyzed using inferential statistics, in particular multiple linear regression for the quantitative data and descriptive analysis for the qualitative data. The study adhered to appropriate research procedures and consent was sought before administering the questionnaires. Respondents were informed of their right to take part in the survey and full confidentiality supplied. The findings of the study indicated that government policy and gender equality greatly affected the empowerment of female immigrant workers in Eastleigh area, Nairobi, while their poverty levels had an insignificant relationship with their empowerment. It was therefore concluded that the government did not have clear strategies on how to protect female immigrant workers from legal, economic and social challenges and there is a need to improve the levels of education and awareness among female immigrant workers.