Community Driven Development and Women Economic Empowerment in Nyakabande Sub-County in Kisoro District- Uganda

Abstract

The study explored the contribution of community driven development programme towards women economic empowerment in Nyakabande Sub County. The study had four objectives. To examine activities carried out by CDD program in supporting economic empowerment of women. To document economic activities done by women in pursuant of economic empowerment and support by CDD programme. To determine the role of group dynamics in influencing economic empowerment of women. To find out other family related factors that hinder economic empowerment of women in Nyakabande Sub County, Kisoro District. A cross-sectional design utilizing a mixed research approach was adopted. A total of 92participants constituting Women in CDD supported groups and local leaders were involved. A Mixed methods approach was utilized for data collection, providing descriptive statistics and opinions about the study. Results show monitoring and supervision as the most effective CDD activity that supports women economic empowered in Nyakabande Sub County. Farming is the most dominant activity carried out by women in CDD supported programme. The group dynamics especially cohesion, has an influence on women economic empowerment. The family size affects the returns the economic returns women make from their groups, increases dependence, and cost of living. Conclusively, WEE in Nyakabande Sub County is below average, indicating a low contribution of CDD programmes in WEE especially at individual level. Government, through Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) in collaboration with Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) should increase CDD capitation to elevate the financing abilities of sub counties to support women groups. The effect of culture on women empowerment in Nyakabande sub-county is not well researched. Future researchers should consider this area.