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Gender Gaps, Financial Inclusion and Social Integration in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya

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  • Afrika Onguko Okello

    (African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), P.O. Box 62882-00200, Nairobi, Kenya)

Abstract

The integration or resettlement efforts aimed at self-reliance of refugees are requisite for their adaptation to social and economic shocks and consequently to their human development and contribution to economic growth. This study analyses the drivers of financial inclusion and social integration and estimates the respective gender gap among households in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya. Based on a 2019 socio-economic survey dataset, the study constructs indices to reveal the extent of financial inclusion and social integration. Using the ordered logistic regression, factors such as earning wages, asset accumulation, food security, social capital, education, and access to information demonstrate significant explanatory power for financial inclusion and social integration. The Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition technique for measuring the gender gap reveals that women are significantly better off with respect to financial inclusion compared to men. These results suggest that gendered financial inclusive and social integration programs can build refugee self-reliance. Accordingly, government and development partners should promote gender-inclusive strategies for refugees in Kenya. This study contributes to the literature on refugee financial inclusion and social integration by offering gender-specific insights into their barriers and enablers in protracted displacement contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Afrika Onguko Okello, 2025. "Gender Gaps, Financial Inclusion and Social Integration in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya," Economies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-20, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jecomi:v:13:y:2025:i:3:p:75-:d:1612264
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Swati Mehta Dhawan & Kim Wilson & Hans-Martin Zademach, 2024. "From financial inclusion to financial health of refugees: urging for a shift in perspective," Third World Quarterly, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(5), pages 926-945, March.
    5. Rima R Habib & Amena El-Harakeh & Micheline Ziadee & Elio Abi Younes & Khalil El Asmar, 2020. "Social capital, social cohesion, and health of Syrian refugee working children living in informal tented settlements in Lebanon: A cross-sectional study," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(9), pages 1-19, September.
    6. George J. Borjas, 2019. "Immigration and Economic Growth," NBER Working Papers 25836, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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