TITLE:
Empowering Organized Grassroots Women as a Social Change Agent for Sustainability in Kenya
AUTHORS:
Edna Jemutai Moi
KEYWORDS:
Grassroots Women, Leadership, Resilience, Gender Equality, Economic Empowerment, Community Development, Social Transformation, Policy Advocacy
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.13 No.5,
May
14,
2025
ABSTRACT: This study investigates the transformative role of grassroots women in Kitui County, Kenya, who, through NGO-led training and self-organization, actively address socio-economic and political challenges within their communities. Employing a qualitative research approach including interviews, focus group discussions, and observations the study highlights how these women drive social change by mitigating poverty, combating gender-based violence, and dismantling barriers to education and leadership. Despite their resilience, they face persistent challenges, including limited human capital, weak networking structures, and restricted access to financial resources. The findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced governmental and stakeholder support to strengthen women’s leadership and economic empowerment. This study advocates for targeted investments in resources, training, and capacity-building initiatives to foster long-term resilience and sustainable community transformation.