Abstract:
The study intended to assess the Role of Women Development Fund in improving the economic status of women in Rombo district. The objectives of the study were to: assess sources of funds that support activities of women development groups in Rombo district, examine the approaches through which women in Rombo District access WDF, determine the levels of women income before and after joining WDF in Rombo District, determine the extent to which WDF has really helped women to improve their economic status, identify the factors affecting women in accessing WDF in Rombo District, find out ways to enhance Women access to WDF in Rombo District. A total sample of 56 people were interviewed, of whom 40 included WDF beneficiaries from 8 groups, 6 respondents from community development office, 4 councilors and 4 ward executive officers and 1 cooperative officer and 1 respondent from rural financial service office. Data were collected using questionnaire and indepth interviews as well as secondary data. Both descriptive statistics and graphical analysis techniques computed with the aid of SPSS statistical software were used to arrive to conclusions.
The findings revealed that there has been a positive outcome to Women Development Fund (WDF) beneficiaries as a result of borrowing WDF loan as evidenced by increase in income of WDF beneficiaries by 60%, their ability to send children to school, buy household assets, improve family diet, pay medical charges, make savings and increase self confidence. Also, the study revealed facilitating factors to access WDF as lending approach, low interest rate, availability of training sessions and motivation by others. Inhibiting factors to access WDF were institutional related, business related, family related and Government policy related constraints.
The study recommends that amount of loan given to a group should be increased so as to enable WDF beneficiaries to expand their business ventures and loans should be given on time. The Central Government and Local Government should review the
