Dj Vnyash
A recent World Bank report on Kenya highlights that only 3% of women aged 15-49 are able to independently own assets, with the remaining 97% relying on others. The report, dated December 10, reveals that 4.5% of women own homes independently, compared to 37.4% of men, while just 3.1% of women own agricultural land independently, compared to 24.3% of men.
The report also shows that 21.9% of women own and manage bank accounts independently, compared to 32% of men, and 77.5% of women own mobile phones, compared to 80.4% of men.
Young women are more likely than men to be neither in education, employment, nor training (NEET). Women aged 19-25 are four times more likely to be NEET than men, with those in Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) counties experiencing much higher NEET rates (44.1%) compared to those in non-ASAL counties (34.3%).
Additionally, the report points out that 17% of women report not being paid for their work, compared to 9% of men. Many women also lack decision-making power, with 34% reporting that they don’t have a say in decisions regarding their healthcare, major household purchases, and family visits. Furthermore, 35% of married women cannot make independent decisions about sexual relations, contraceptive use, and reproductive health.
Women bear a greater share of unpaid domestic and caregiving duties, and early marriage and parenthood significantly hinder women’s economic empowerment, deepening the gender gap in economic participation. In 2022, about 31% of 19-year-old girls were already married or had children, with early marriages and teenage pregnancies limiting women’s opportunities for economic progress.
The World Bank emphasizes that these statistics reflect systemic inequalities, restricting women’s economic independence and potential. The organization calls for long-term, multisectoral solutions to address these issues and build on existing progress.
Silverio Omari
