The majority of women are not applying for money from Uwezo Fund allegedly due to ignorance and fear to repay back the loan.
The fund board’s advisory chairperson, Irene Onchoke said there was an urgent need for civic education and awareness across the Kisii County for women on the importance of the funds.
Speaking on Sunday when she met various women group at Suneka sub-county hall the chairperson said there is still more funds that haven’t been applied for and would help the women empower themselves.
“There is a need to address the religious and cultural impediments that are barring women from getting access to these funds,” she said.
Traditions and cultural beliefs where women were seen as domestic drudges are said to be a major contributor to the lackluster performance in loans application by women in the region.
Also, the perception that men are the breadwinners is also working against encouraging women to apply for the loans.
The chair expressed her concerns that the uptake of loans by women in Kisii County was too low as compared to other parts of the country.