The role of rural savings to the empowerment of women in Mukono district: Case study women in Goma subcounty

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the role of rural savings to the empowerment of women.” The study objectives were; To establish the different saving schemes available in Goma Sub County, analyse specific ways through which rural saving have empowered women in Goma Sub County and find out the challenges faced by women in saving schemes in Goma Sub County. The study employed a case study research design, which was descriptive and analytical in nature. Quantitative and qualitative approaches were employed to collect data from 50 (fifty) respondents using structured questionnaires, and interviews. The study found out that are many women savings groups with the aim of empowering women. For instance women entrepreneurs have been assisted for setting up of new projects in tiny or small scale sector. The women are also now able to save some money that they can be able to use in buying food in the home, paying school fees, paying the bills of the home and other small family things which helps out the family, the schemes have also largely become a platform through which innovative technologies are disseminated to the masses. The savings schemes have also have enabled the members to upscale economic activities, improve household health and welfare, acquire business skills, educate their children, and improve the quality of their social lives both within the family and the surrounding community. However, there are challenges that have been faced by women in saving schemes such as lack of record keeping skill, poor social relations, political interference, women living in poverty, unsupportive husbands and also having smaller social networks Finally, it is recommended that the NGOs and the savings groups should equip the member with extra business management skills and also try to meet member's practical needs for basic literacy as well as advanced literacy (for those who had gone through the basic literacy course), health, livelihood (for example, a training on caring for and maintenance of livestock would be useful to many member's) education for their children and for themselves. It was also recommended that an affordable interest rate which doesn‟t compromise profitability should be set by the group members for all money borrowed from their savings. Each group has an executive committee elected by the members to keep records of minutes, main accounts books, and help in coordination.