Abstract:
The study focused on economic empowerment of women which is essential in achieving accelerated growth, development and reduction of poverty in Kenya. Most of the poorest people in Nyeri are women due to their social inequalities and lack of opportunities because of their gender. The study looked at the factors influencing the economic empowerment of women. In Kenya most of the women live below the poverty line due to gender inequality in most sectors of the economy. The study is a survey of women in Nyeri Municipality. The population of Nyeri Municipality is predominantly Christian. The study used women church groups with a membership of 8455 to reach the target population. The study randomly sampled 370 respondents and used questionnaires to collect data. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that education, access to credit, control of economic resources and employment have a positive relationship with economic empowerment but a lot has to be done to strengthen this relationship for better results. The findings of the study will be useful to the Ministry of Gender and Social Services in its effort to formulate and implement gender policies, NGOs dealing with women empowerment in formulating their programs and Micro finance institutions. The information will also be used by women in empowering themselves in working towards achieving self sufficiency and improved standards of living and the government in attaining the vision
2030.
