Contribution of Village Savings and Loan Association to Economic Empowerment of Women: A Case Study of Stromme Foundation Supported Groups in Terekeka County, South Sudan

Abuni Joseph Mark, Dr. Lydia Mwaura, Rev. Martin Otiende
The Catholic University of Eastern Africa,Kenya

Received September 4, 2019; Revised September 10, 2019; Accepted September 11, 2019

Abstract:This study set out to assess the contribution of Village Saving and Loan Association to economic empowerment of women in Terekeka County, South Sudan. The key objectives were to examine VSLA empowerment of women towards increase in business income; decision-making process at household and community level, asset ownership at household level and gap identification. Total population of Terekeka is 140,390 people, 1,500 people in the VSLAs but only 300 sampled for research. Questionnaires focus group discussion and key informant interviews were used. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used for data analysis. The results indicated that 93.9 percent of the women were able to increase their business income , 97.6 percent experience improved decision making at household and community level while 99.3 percent own assets, either alone ortogether with husband. Identified gapsinclude lack of training opportunities, limited supervision from the projectstaff, insecurity, high taxation and high commodity prices. Women were able to increase theirincome, participate actively in decision making and confer ability to own assets. Purchase and ownership of productive assets such as machinery is still minimal . Stromme Foundation should introduce a wide range of financial services to increase women’s ability to generate and control income and government to invest in time-saving infrastructure.