European Open Gender & Development Journal

Vol. 1, No. 1, March 2015

Table of Contents

Articles

THE ROLE OF ROTATING SAVINGS AND CREDIT ASSOCIATIONS IN SAVINGS MOBILIZATION AMONG THE POOR RURAL WOMEN IN KENYA: ACASE OF NYARIBARI MASABA CONSTITUENCY

Authors: Clement Achimba Okirigiti, Dr. Mohammed Abdul Raffey

Pages: 1 - 13

Abstract :

Women are acknowledged to play an important role in society, their contribution is enormous. Empowering women is seen as a prerequisite to reduce poverty, improve the quality of family life hence create a cohesive society as women undertake critical roles in the society. However women still face challenges in their quest to fulfill family obligations. The main purpose of this study was to establish the effects of rotating savings and credit associations in saving mobilization among the poor rural women in Kenya. Specifically the study sought to; analyze the level of savings and investment of women in rural areas; determine the financial viability of rotating savings and credit associations in provision of financial service to women in rural areas ; establish the strategies used by rotating savings and credit associations to mobilize savings among the rural women; establish the impact of rotating savings and credit associations on the income of women in rural areas .A case study research design was used to conduct the study. The target population consisted of 132 women who are members of rotating savings and credit associations in Nyaribari Masaba Constituency, Kisii County, Kenya. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires, interviews and observations. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented using tables. The study findings revealed that most rural women are not aware of other financial intermediaries which provide finance to women. Lack of role models in the community and no networking among the women was also cited as an impediment to women economic empowerment and high levels of poverty hinder most women from participating in rotating savings and credit associations. However despite the hiccups those women who have been in the rotating savings and credit associations contended that their household incomes have improved significantly and their business enterprises have expanded, savings and investment doubled since joining these associations.

Key words: Savings mobilization, poor rural women, rotating savings and credit associations, women empowerment, poverty alleviation.

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