The Power of Self-Help Groups in Driving Women Economic Empowerment in Kenya

Abstract

Women empowerment is the mechanism of expanding women's ability and agency, allowing them to make decisions and have choices over their lives. Empowerment means women exhibit both the ability to prosper and progress economically and the power to make decisions and take actions that drive the women's economy. This study, therefore, investigated the impact of self-help groups on driving women's economic empowerment among women in Luanda Sub-County in Vihiga County of Kenya. The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive study design featuring qualitative data collection methods. The data collected were processed and analyzed through qualitative approaches. Self-help groups provide prime opportunities for women to gain economically through income generation, entrepreneurship training and skills, asset acquisition, business (re)financing, and increased production outputs. Self-help groups are driving forces for women's economic empowerment to achieve sustainable development goals.