A new report by the White Ribbon Alliance Kenya highlights the challenges and aspirations of women in Kajiado County regarding economic empowerment. The listening exercise engaged over 7,000 women from Kajiado and Narok counties, providing insights into the barriers they face and the opportunities they seek to improve their financial independence and well-being.
Women defined economic empowerment as having access to resources and the ability to use them for personal gain. Many aspire to start or expand small businesses such as beadwork, poultry keeping, and dairy farming. Others seek to improve their financial literacy, education, and participation in leadership roles to strengthen their decision-making power.
The report identifies a lack of capital as the primary barrier to economic empowerment. Limited access to education, business skills, and markets were also noted. Infrastructure challenges, including poor roads and unreliable access to water, further hinder women’s ability to sustain economic activities. Cultural and social factors, such as restrictive gender roles and lack of support from spouses, add to the difficulties women face.
Women also linked economic disempowerment to health challenges, including poor nutrition, limited access to healthcare, and inadequate menstrual hygiene products. They called for better access to loans, training programs, and infrastructure improvements to support their efforts.
The report recommends involving women in policy formulation and creating financial and business support opportunities. Angela Nguku, Executive Director of White Ribbon Alliance Kenya, called for collaborative efforts to address these barriers, emphasizing that empowering women is key to improving community health and economic growth.
