PHD-Department of Gender and Development

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Browsing PHD-Department of Gender and Development by Subject "Kiambu County"

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    Influence of Microfinance Training Programmes on Acquisition of Financial Skills among Women in Self-Help Groups in Kiambu County-Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2021) Mwaniki, Tabitha Wawira; Grace Wamue-Ngare; Pacificah Okemwa
    Microfinance training plays an important role in imparting financial skills to women. However, women in Self-Help Groups in Kiambu County still lack adequate skills in finance. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of microfinance training programmes on the acquisition of financial skills among women in Self-Help Groups in Kiambu County. The objectives were; to determine the levels of financial competencies among women in SHGs; to examine the influence of microfinance training models, training processes of microfinance programmes, gender-related challenges, and gender-responsive strategies on financial skills acquisition among women in Self-Help Groups. The study was based on gender relations, endogenous growth and knowledgebased theories. The research applied a mixed methodology approach and was guided by an exploratory research design. The study targeted 31 Credit Officers from 31 Registered MFIs in Kiambu County, 16, 967 women in SHGs as well as 100 Key Informants (Training Officers) which totaled 17, 098 respondents from which a sample of 384 respondents was determined using Yamane’s Formula. Stratified sampling was applied to create 12 different strata (sample frames) based on the number of sub-counties in Kiambu County. From each sub-county, two (2) Credit Officers, two (2) key informants (Training Officers) and two (2) SHGs comprising of 14 women were selected using purposive sampling. This procedure yielded a sample size of 336 women in SHGs, 24 Credit Officers and 24 Training Officers. To collect data from women, focus group discussions and interviews were used, interviews for Credit Officers whereas questionnaires from Training Officers. Piloting was conducted among 39 respondents in Murang’a East sub-county in Murang’a County to establish validity and reliability. A reliability index, r = 0.782, was calculated using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Method. Qualitative data were analyzed based on objectives and were presented in narrations and verbatims. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively using frequencies and percentages and inferentially using One-Sample t-test with the help of Statistical Packages for Social Science and were presented using tables and charts. The study found that majority of women in SHGs manifest inadequate cash-flow management (76.5%), financial investment (71%), pricing and costing projection (47%) and e-financing skills (77%) necessary to manage their personal and household finances as well as to develop and manage entrepreneurial activities. The study further found that microfinance training is important in equipping women with financial skills despite the challenges which characterize the training models and processes. Thus, the study recommends that, besides developing a training schedule with clear training blocks for women to fit in depending on their daily chores, microfinance institutions (MFIs) should adhere to a set schedule and indicate specific activities to be undertaken during training. Besides, there is a need to ensure capacity building for trainers to improve skills not only in financial training but also in gender areas and concerns that often stand in the way of women’s financial skills. MFIs should develop policy frameworks that incorporate gender perspectives.
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    Participation of Men and Women in the Management of Domestic Solid Waste in Kiandutu Informal Settlement, Kiambu County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2021) Mwangi, Willy W.; Grace Okong’o; Christine Majale
    The study sought to investigate levels of men’s and women’s involvement in the management of domestic solid waste in Kiandutu Informal Settlement in Kiambu County, Kenya. Specifically, the study aimed to determine the knowledge men and women had, examine the waste management practices by men and women, establish what challenges both men and women encountered and propose strategies that would enhance community involvement among men and women in the management of domestic solid waste. The study was guided by two theories namely the Identity Theory and Social Context Theory. While the former assumes the rigidity of gender, the latter assumes it’s flexibility. The study employed exploratory research design whose choice allowed an in-depth view of the generation of both qualitative and quantitative data. Random sampling of the villages and purposive sampling of the respondents were used to identify the study sample. A sample size of 264 households representing 10% of the total number of households in the randomly sampled villages was selected for the study with each village being apportioned its quota. The unit of analysis was the household, with the household heads, male and female being the respondents. Key informants comprised community health workers, village elders and local administration. Guided questionnaires, interview guides and observation checklists were used to generate data. Qualitative data was thematically coded and analysed using SPSS V24. Hypothesis was tested at p ≤ 0.05. The study found out that both men and women had a variation of knowledge on domestic solid waste management exhibited gendered domestic solid waste management and practices mostly influenced by as socio-cultural processes alongside demographic characteristics. Challenges which recurred among men and women included: low knowledge base, misconceptions in domestic solid waste management, use of unorthodox waste management methods as well as congestion of the households. The study concluded that early stereotyped socialization negatively contributes to men’s participation in the management of domestic solid waste. The study also perceived that low levels of domestic solid waste management knowledge among men and women were linked to poor management of the solid waste. The study recommends a strategic gender awareness raising for effective management of domestic solid waste. The Kiambu County government should develop relevant gender sensitive policies with the aim of raising awareness in the management of domestic solid waste and the environment. Building new and strengthening the existing social structures can strategically be used for the mobilize of men and women. The Kenya National Environment Management Authority should collaborate with the Kiambu County Government and other relevant stakeholders to prepare training packages for raising awareness on suitable domestic solid waste management in the informal settlements.