Abstract:
This study was focused on assessing the participation of rural women in Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies and its implication to household livelihood. Specifically, the study intended to
identify the enrolment of rural women in SACCOs at membership, governance and managerial level,
the level of awareness on services offered, benefits gained by rural women through accessing services
offered and the challenges hindering participation of rural in SACCOs. Data was collected through
survey, documentary review, interview guide and focus group discussion. Quantitative data was
analyzed using multiple regression analysis and Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was used to
test independent and dependent variables. The quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package
for Social Sciences. The findings revealed that women enrolment in SACCOs at different levels is still
very low due to illiteracy, gender barriers, lack of information and poor perception, lack of skills and
education. On the part of women participation in financial co-operatives services, women have
benefited in different aspects of livelihood enabling them to establish /expanding businesses, assisting
in on farm activities, improving social status, improving family status, paying school fees, serving
other loans, buying household items, acquiring land/house and facilitating social events. It was also
revealed that financial co-operative members are aware of services offered in SACCOs such as
deposits, savings, loan procedures and management. and financial and entrepreneurial training and
education though they are hindered by unfavorable loan access conditions for women such as interest
charged, collaterals, Low or inability to have savings due to low income as a result of lack of an
economic base, Illiteracy, lack of information, awareness and training in general, Difficult membership
criteria, low understanding of services offered by SACCOs, low motivation to join SACCOs due to
traditions, male counterparts support and multiple members
