Empowering Rural Women through Digital Financial Literacy in Northern Kenya
Keywords:
digital financial literacy, rural women empowerment, mobile money, Northern KenyaAbstract
This study examines the potential of digital financial literacy programs to empower rural women in Northern Kenya, a region characterized by persistent gender inequalities, limited financial inclusion, and infrastructural challenges. Using a mixed-methods approach involving 250 women from Turkana, Marsabit, and Samburu counties, the research evaluates the impact of a six-month digital financial literacy intervention on women's financial knowledge, mobile money adoption, economic participation, and decision-making autonomy. Findings reveal significant improvements in digital financial capabilities, with 78% of participants actively using mobile money services post-intervention compared to 23% at baseline. However, persistent barriers including network connectivity, device affordability, and socio-cultural constraints continue to limit full empowerment potential. The study demonstrates that contextually designed digital financial literacy programs, when combined with community engagement and supportive infrastructure, can meaningfully enhance rural women's economic agency and financial inclusion, contributing to broader development objectives in marginalized communities.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Amina Hassan, Peter Otieno, Kotio Juen (Author)
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