Influence of Microfinance Training Programmes on Acquisition of Financial Skills among Women in Self-Help Groups in Kiambu County-Kenya
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Date
2021
Authors
Mwaniki, Tabitha Wawira
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
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.
Description
A Thesis Submitted to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of Doctor of Philosophy in Gender and Development of Kenyatta University, August 2021
Keywords
Influence, Microfinance Training Programmes, Acquisition, Financial Skills, Women, Self-Help Groups, Kiambu County, Kenya