Who is this useful for?
Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), Policy Makers, Programme Implementers, Disability Advocates, Government Agencies, Community-based organizations working with women and caregivers with disabilities.
and Development Partners
This insight brief, developed under the TO50 Inclusive Business Initiative, explores the lived experiences of women with disabilities and caregivers who run microenterprises in Kenya. It highlights how overlapping identities; being a woman, having a disability, and providing care, lead to greater exclusion. These individuals often face barriers in accessing tenders, training programs, credit, and government support.
The findings are based on interviews and focus groups with over 500 small-scale entrepreneurs across Kenya. Challenges reported include unpaid care work, lack of national ID or business documents, exposure to gender-based violence, and limited access to inclusive spaces and services. The brief also showcases efforts made to improve inclusion, such as adjusting program application processes, providing business starter kits, and working closely with OPDs. It stresses the need to recognize the role of caregivers, tackle harmful norms, and invest in inclusive planning and budgeting.