EMPOWERING RURAL WOMEN THROUGHMOBILE TELEPHONY: THE CASE OF MATUNGULU AND KANGUNDO SUB-COUNTIES, LOWER EASTERN KENYA 1 st DBA-AMR International Conference, Nairobi, 20 th March,2015 Simiyu Wandibba, Stevie Nangendo and Benson Mulemi

Introduction Kenya is the third largest telecommunication market in Africa. But largest mobile money market in the region. Over KES 2 trillion moved by mobile service providers per year. Safaricom pioneer service provider through M- PESA. Other service providers: Airtel Kenya; Orange Kenya andEssar Telecom Kenya Ltd.

Research Questions How have mobile money transfer services impacted on the lives of rural women in some parts of Machakos County? What impact has this had on traditional gender roles in those areas? What effect has this had on social networks in those areas? What is the overall implication of the transfers on the socio-economic status of the service consumers?

Study Objectives To describe the impact of mobile money transfer services on lives of women in some rural areas of Machakos County. To investigate the impact of these transfers on traditional gender roles in those areas. To document and discuss the effect of the money transfers on social networks in the study sites. To determine the overall implication of the money transfers on the socio-economic status of the study population.

Study Population and Unit of Analysis Study population: Female and male mobile users aged 18 years and above. Unit of analysis: An individual mobile user as defined above.

Sample Size and Sampling Procedure Sample size: 439 (230 women and 209 men). Sampling procedure: Snowball sampling.

Methods and Tools Semi-structured interviews using an interview schedule. Key informant interviews with 12 key informants (6 women and 6 men) using a key informant interview guide. Focus group discussions with 12 groups (6 with women and 6 with men) using a focus group discussions guide.

Findings Socio-demographics of sample population Gender: 230 (52.2%) women and 209 (47.6%) men. Age: Ranged between 18 and 77; those aged comprised 39.2%. Marital status: 52.8 married, 39.9 not married.

Findings Contd. Ownership: c.98.2% (c.52.5% women, c.47.5% men. Use: c.98.8% use M-PESA. Reasons for use of M-PESA: Highest number of outlets, access to banking facilities. Gender-related utilization: More women use direct transfer services, more men use banking services.

Findings Contd. Women’s empowerment They are able to own their own accounts without permission from the men. Transfers have boosted their businesses and participation in household livelihoods. They can take care of their families when men abdicate their responsibilities.

Findings continued Enhancement of social networks Money transfers enhance women’s potential to improve their livelihoods through merry-go- round activities. Mobile money and airtime transactions are form of social contact. Money transfers link individuals to extended groups and social support.

Findings Contd. Consequences for gender relations Women now play a greater role in breadwinning for the family. Suspicion by men that their wives could be receiving money from their lovers. Marital problems.

Findings Contd. Implications Mobile money transfers are an important resource for rural people who require regular access to small amounts of money. But no meaningful savings; hand-to-mouth financial behaviour. Could form the basis for micro-enterprise development for livelihoods.

Conclusion Socio-economic empowerment of rural women. Enhancement of social networks. Marital problems

Acknowledgement The Institute of Money, Technology and Financial Inclusion of the University of California, Irvine, for the research funds. Our research subjects. Our research assistants. The College Bursar for managing the funds.