Examining The Impact of Development Communication Strategies On Livelihoods of Women Living With HIV in Kajiado County: A Case of Women Empowerment Program

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to Examine the Impact of Development Communication Strategies on Livelihoods of Women Living with HIV in Kajiado County, with a case of Women Empowerment Program (WEP). Its objectives were to find out the livelihood challenges experienced by women living with HIV before joining the Women Empowerment Program; to ascertain the development communication strategies used by the Women Empowerment Program in addressing the livelihood challenges that women living with HIV in the program face; and to examine the impact of the development communication strategies on the livelihoods of women living with HIV in the Women Empowerment Program. Mixed methods research design was used. Three tools were used to collect data. The questionnaire had a population of 500 women living with HIV in the Women Empowerment Program. The FGD comprised of women leaders of WEP groups. The guided interview engaged two senior AJAM officials. The study concluded that advocacy communication and behavior change communication strategies were successful since they positively impacted the women individually. Communication for social change strategy was not very successful since there was less follow-up on uptake of WEP interventions due to limited resources. The study recommended that development projects should replicate the advocacy and behavior change communications strategies used in this study, while communication for social change strategy required enhanced follow-up on uptake of intervention and adequate resources to ensure sustainability at societal level.