Empowering Women to Alleviate Poverty through provision of Information

Majority of women in Kenya moreso in rural areas are afflicted with poverty, ignorance and disease.There are numerous factors responsible for the poor condition of women, one of them being lack of access to adequate information. This study investigated provision of information services to rural women in Vihiga District of Western Province of Kenya. The specific objective of the study was to obtain a better understanding of information needs and information seeking habits of the women. It was established that women constantly perceived information needs related to their daily activities. These information needs are often not adequately satisfied by the existing information systems and services. There should be improvement of the existing information services, systems, and channels of disseminating information. This can be attained if information providers in the region can take cognizance of women's information needs and channels of access. Poverty is complex and multidimensional and can only be tackled effectively through provision of information, sharing and content creation among all stakeholders involved in poverty alleviation.