Thesis:

Women socio-economic empowerment and household livelihood in Alego Usonga sub-county in Siaya County, Kenya

Women's socio-economic empowerment entails financial services, entrepreneurship and accessibility to labour markets. The wellbeing of household livelihoods is manifested by economic stability, health, education, and overall well-being. However, traditional gender stereotypes, cultural norms, and financial constraints hinder women's opportunities and roles. Despite efforts by multi-agencies, gaps remain in women empowerment, including limited education, financial constraints, discriminatory laws, and gender-based violence. The purpose of the study was to assess the influence of women socio-economic empowerment on household livelihood in Alego Usonga Sub-County, Siaya County, Kenya. The research objectives was; to examine the influence of access to financial services by women, women entrepreneurship, accessibility to labour markets and measures on household livelihood among women in Alego Usonga Sub-County. The study is anchored on Social Capital Theory and adopted descriptive design. The study targeted all the 1,860 women who are affiliated to the 186 community groups in all the 6 administrative wards in Alego Usonga Sub-County. The study used the Cochran equation as discussed by Yamane to calculate the sample size giving 329. A sample of 329 women and 56 key informants was selected to represent all registered community groups from all the 6 administrative wards in Alego Usonga Sub County. Data was collected using questionnaires for women respondents and interview guides for key informants. The instruments was piloted in the adjacent and homogenous Homabay County to test reliability. The Cronbach's Alpha was utilized at the threshold of 0.7. Quantitative data was processed using descriptive statistics with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Qualitative data underwent thematic analysis through content analysis, aligned with the study’s objectives. The research outcomes were presented through summaries utilizing frequencies, percentages, mean, and standard deviation. The study pinpointed the primary factors propelling women’s economic empowerment and enhancing household livelihoods. Financial access boosts livelihoods, led by mobile banking, but gaps in insurance and literacy persist. Entrepreneurship has the strongest effect, enhancing well-being and income, though market access limits scale. Labor market access is weak, hindered by discrimination despite skills’ value. Empowerment measures, like mobile banking and education, and outshine policy support. MICT and CBK should enhance mobile banking and literacy; MTIC and Siaya County offer entrepreneurial incentives; MLSP enforce labor equity. Practice what do you mean???: Siaya’s Education Department expand training and loans; NGOs build networks; KIPPRA promote literacy campaigns. Research: Assess digital tools’ scalability and investigate labor market barriers. A multi-pronged approach can unlock women’s potential, improving livelihoods.