Abstract:
The involvement of women in Self Help Groups is justified as it serves the welfare of its members through savings, investment, capacity building and loan services. However, in Tinderet Sub-county women still encounter limitations and fewer opportunities, especially in regards to income-generating activities and social status that the government would consider best practice in pursuance of achieving rural Sustainable Development. The broad objective of this study was to examine the effects of women participation in self-help groups on socio-economic status. The study was guided by the following specific objectives; to establish on the effects of women participation in self-help groups on their economic status and social status as well the challenges faced by women in self-help groups. The study was guided by social network theory to explain ties and nodes among women in self- help groups despite their differences for common course and collective action theory which was used to elucidate the benefits women realize by coming together in self-help groups. The study adopted descriptive Survey research design which was both quantitative and qualitative. The target population comprised of all registered women self-help groups in Tinderet Sub-county which was 122 with 1220 members. In this study 10 percent of the target population was selected to get a sample of 12 self-help groups in the sub-county from the 122 women self-help groups. The researcher used simple random sampling method to obtain 122 members from 12 self- help groups. The study used interview schedule for members to collect data. The data collected was qualitative data and quantitative data. Qualitative analysis entailed organizing qualitative data into themes and patterns relevant to the research objectives. Quantitative data collected were summarized into frequencies and percentages by the help of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The results showed income levels of women increased after joining SHGs. Members had greater self-confidence and would have greater role in make decisions regarding the household needs. Moreover, some of the challenges faced by women were on collateral for loans, and delays in paying monthly personal contributions. The study recommends that the National and the County Government should find ways of integrating agricultural extension officers in SHGs. The study also recommends that the women members and promoters of the self-help groups should involve men in SHGs activities. The study further recommends that the self-help groups should diversify on their income generating activities
