Social and Economic Impact of Rural Women’s Participation in Agricultural Projects: A Case Study of Kigumo Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

Enhancing women's participation in development is essential not only for achieving social justice but also for reducing poverty. Worldwide experience shows that supporting a stronger role for women contributes to economic growth, improves child survival and overall family health, and it reduces fertility, thus helping to slow population growth rates. In short, investing in women is central to sustainable development. This study sought to find out the social and economic impacts brought about by women participation in agricultural projects. The economic impact of women participation which was measured using income and assets acquired, income was analysed using t-test, mean and mode and it was found out that participation of women in agricultural projects does indeed increase their income. The social impact of women participation in agricultural projects was measured through access to healthcare, children education, nutrition, and shelter; they were analysed using chi-square and frequencies. The findings were that participation does improve social development or wellbeing of the women and their families. The research study targeted women in Kigumo Sub-County in Murang’a County. The research used a descriptive research design. Stratified sampling method was used to select women farmers who participate in agricultural projects in Kigumo Sub-County. The researcher used personal interviews and structured questionnaires as data collection tools. Data was analyzed through the use of descriptive frequencies, Mode, Mean, chi-square and t-test.