Challenges Facing Contribution of International NonGovernmental Organizations Development Programmes On the Socio- Economic Empowerment of Women In Makueni County, Kenya

Abstract

The study sought to assess the challenges facing the implementation of International NonGovernmental Organizationsdevelopmentprogrammes on the social and economic lives of the rural women in Makueni county.The research employed mixed Approach (qualitative and quantitative method) and descriptive research design in data collection. The study targeted women beneficiaries in Self Help Groups (SHGs) of World Vision and ActionAid programmes and key informants such as project and government officials in Makueni County. A total sample size of 162 members were selected using various sampling techniques which included multistage, purposive, snowball and random sampling. Open and closed headed questionnaires, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guides and interview schedules were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics and Chi square tests were done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 21) software. The study revealed that there were challenges related toINGOsas well as those related to women groups. The challenges related to women included limited access to and control over resources, limited involvement of local women beneficiaries, lack of collateral and enough funds, and GBV. The INGOs related challenges included limited entrepreneurship skills, impact of HIV/AIDs, leadership conflicts and societal /cultural practices. The study concluded that among the women related challenges, access to and control over resources was leading while limited entrepreneurship skills led in challenges facing INGOs development programs