Women living in the rural peripheries shoulder the burden of the world's poverty as most cultures... more Women living in the rural peripheries shoulder the burden of the world's poverty as most cultures of the world and especially in Africa look down upon them as the lesser gender. This research sought to explore the role of design in improving the livelihoods of such women. Case study approach was used to study Ubuntu Maker Mums Women Group based in Kisamis Area of Kajiado County in Kenya. A sample size of 10 respondents was obtained purposively from the case and it included the chairlady of the group, a production manager of the group, and eight women who are engaged in the production of beaded products. Data was collected through observation, photography and face-to-face interviews. The data collected was qualitatively analyzed by clustering thematically based on the research objectives. The findings of this research led to the development of several conclusions in regard to the role of design in empowering women and improving livelihoods. Design is a tool for sustainable development and thus its uptake in women's crafts should be encouraged. The researcher recommends the adoption of the strategies discussed in this research in an effort to apply design to improve the livelihoods of women. Most of the strategies are relatable to the plight of women in Kenya and can also be applied to majority of groups involved in the empowerment of marginalized persons.
Women in Kenya and the world over engage in craft design using traditional skills passed on from ... more Women in Kenya and the world over engage in craft design using traditional skills passed on from one generation to the other. These are mainly inspired by motifs and designs obtained from nature and items within their surroundings. Knowledge is in this content mainly shared by observation. The case is no different for marginalized women in Kenya who engage in craft design in the areas of beadwork, basketry, and pottery among others. A study was conducted to identify the design interventions in improving the livelihoods of women through crafts. Designers have been part of the women's programs through the extension of their services at different phases of the production process. This is done by co-designing and collaborating with the women in production. Empirical research shows that these products are more often than not identical with minimal to no variation hence they aren't competitive and this limits the returns from the crafts. The main objective of this study was to explore the design interventions in women's crafts in Kenya and how they can be utilized for more economically sustainable crafts practice. The study was qualitative and applied a multiple-case study approach. Setting: the study was conducted in women's crafts groups located in Machakos and Kajiado counties in Kenya. The respondents in this study were women in crafts production aged between 23 and 70 years. The results revealed that 100% of the respondents were of the opinion that design is key to improved products and improved services. They however were cognizant of the fact that it would be expensive to have a designer attached to the group on a full-time basis and therefore felt that it would be more viable to seek design extension services in their processes. The study concluded that every women's craft initiative needs to have access to design extension services that would help in improving knowledge and skills, give technical design input and trigger the creativity of the artisans, motivate them through co-designing and boost their self-confidence which would lead to improved productivity and better returns. Keywords; design, crafts, co-design, design extension services, women empowerment, sustainable livelihoods.
The concept of a self-sustaining community is one that is inevitable as developing nations work t... more The concept of a self-sustaining community is one that is inevitable as developing nations work towards achieving the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. Community Based Organizations as well as Self Help Groups play a major role in improving the livelihoods of the people, especially women in the developing nations. The case 'United Rabbit Farmers' has been selected with the view that it shall inform the nation on ways through which similar groups can be employed towards achieving sustainable communities. The main objective of the study was to examine the changes in the livelihood status of the SHG members. The research design employed in this study is the diagnostic research studies while the target population was members of the united rabbit farmers' self-help group. The sample size consisted of five respondents who were drawn from the target population through purposive sampling. Interviews from the respondents were transcribed, manually coded and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that members are able to save regularly and access development loans. Furthermore, they were also able to venture into self-employment such as fish farming, rearing rabbits and chicken, making bricks using a brick interlocking machine they purchased. The paper concludes that standards of living for the program participants improve and they tend to be more food secure.
Women living in the rural peripheries shoulder the burden of the world's poverty as most cultures... more Women living in the rural peripheries shoulder the burden of the world's poverty as most cultures of the world and especially in Africa look down upon them as the lesser gender. This research sought to explore the role of design in improving the livelihoods of such women. Case study approach was used to study Ubuntu Maker Mums Women Group based in Kisamis Area of Kajiado County in Kenya. A sample size of 10 respondents was obtained purposively from the case and it included the chairlady of the group, a production manager of the group, and eight women who are engaged in the production of beaded products. Data was collected through observation, photography and face-to-face interviews. The data collected was qualitatively analyzed by clustering thematically based on the research objectives. The findings of this research led to the development of several conclusions in regard to the role of design in empowering women and improving livelihoods. Design is a tool for sustainable development and thus its uptake in women's crafts should be encouraged. The researcher recommends the adoption of the strategies discussed in this research in an effort to apply design to improve the livelihoods of women. Most of the strategies are relatable to the plight of women in Kenya and can also be applied to majority of groups involved in the empowerment of marginalized persons.
Women in Kenya and the world over engage in craft design using traditional skills passed on from ... more Women in Kenya and the world over engage in craft design using traditional skills passed on from one generation to the other. These are mainly inspired by motifs and designs obtained from nature and items within their surroundings. Knowledge is in this content mainly shared by observation. The case is no different for marginalized women in Kenya who engage in craft design in the areas of beadwork, basketry, and pottery among others. A study was conducted to identify the design interventions in improving the livelihoods of women through crafts. Designers have been part of the women's programs through the extension of their services at different phases of the production process. This is done by co-designing and collaborating with the women in production. Empirical research shows that these products are more often than not identical with minimal to no variation hence they aren't competitive and this limits the returns from the crafts. The main objective of this study was to explore the design interventions in women's crafts in Kenya and how they can be utilized for more economically sustainable crafts practice. The study was qualitative and applied a multiple-case study approach. Setting: the study was conducted in women's crafts groups located in Machakos and Kajiado counties in Kenya. The respondents in this study were women in crafts production aged between 23 and 70 years. The results revealed that 100% of the respondents were of the opinion that design is key to improved products and improved services. They however were cognizant of the fact that it would be expensive to have a designer attached to the group on a full-time basis and therefore felt that it would be more viable to seek design extension services in their processes. The study concluded that every women's craft initiative needs to have access to design extension services that would help in improving knowledge and skills, give technical design input and trigger the creativity of the artisans, motivate them through co-designing and boost their self-confidence which would lead to improved productivity and better returns. Keywords; design, crafts, co-design, design extension services, women empowerment, sustainable livelihoods.
The concept of a self-sustaining community is one that is inevitable as developing nations work t... more The concept of a self-sustaining community is one that is inevitable as developing nations work towards achieving the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. Community Based Organizations as well as Self Help Groups play a major role in improving the livelihoods of the people, especially women in the developing nations. The case 'United Rabbit Farmers' has been selected with the view that it shall inform the nation on ways through which similar groups can be employed towards achieving sustainable communities. The main objective of the study was to examine the changes in the livelihood status of the SHG members. The research design employed in this study is the diagnostic research studies while the target population was members of the united rabbit farmers' self-help group. The sample size consisted of five respondents who were drawn from the target population through purposive sampling. Interviews from the respondents were transcribed, manually coded and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that members are able to save regularly and access development loans. Furthermore, they were also able to venture into self-employment such as fish farming, rearing rabbits and chicken, making bricks using a brick interlocking machine they purchased. The paper concludes that standards of living for the program participants improve and they tend to be more food secure.
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Papers by Coletta Matayo