Over the past 15 years the Kenyan government has pursued a policy to stimulate the participation of women in the process of development. Women's groups have been the main focus of government... Show moreOver the past 15 years the Kenyan government has pursued a policy to stimulate the participation of women in the process of development. Women's groups have been the main focus of government policies in this regard. This paper presents the results of research, undertaken in 1985 and 1986, on women's groups in Coast Province in Kenya. The areas selected for this study are Diani-Ukunda in Kwale District and Mtwapa in Kilifi District. The report first describes the social and economic characteristics of the research locations, and the position of women in the family and their role in agriculture. Then it focuses on the importance of women's groups from a viewpoint of community development, but also on whether women gain an income from their joint activities. It is argued that the groups concerned offer only a few members a small and irregular income. The conditions connected with this situation and nonmaterial rewards for the group members are discussed. It is shown that the groups in Diani-Ukunda have a rather limited importance as far as community services are concerned, while the Mtwapa groups perform much better in this respect. The conditions connected with the differences in success are discussed as well as the motivations of members who, in spite of the slow progress of their groups, continue to participate. Show less
The subject of this study is the co-operation between Kikuyu women in a village, Kulima, in the district of Kiambu in Kenya. The forms of economic co-operation and mutual aid that these women enter... Show moreThe subject of this study is the co-operation between Kikuyu women in a village, Kulima, in the district of Kiambu in Kenya. The forms of economic co-operation and mutual aid that these women enter into are organized in what they call women's groups. This study deals with two aspects of the women's group in particular. It gives description of the importance of such a group for the position of a woman within the larger family network to which she belongs. The second aspect that comes to the fore concerns the relationships between women's groups and politicians and church organizations Show less
