Barriers to Women with Disabilities Representation in Church Leadership for Spiritual and Socio-Economic Empowerment in Ahero, Kenya

The study aimed at establishing the barriers to women with disabilities’ representation in church leadership positions for spiritual and socio-economic empowerment in Ahero town, Kisumu County, Kenya. Despite global and national emphasis on gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), WWD remain significantly underrepresented in religious institutions. Guided by Social Feminist Theory and Epigenetic Theory. The research highlights how institutional barriers, and infrastructural constraints marginalize WWD in leadership roles. Data was collected using a descriptive and cross-sectional survey designs across twelve denominations and engaging 328 participants including church leaders, departmental heads, government officials, and WWD. The study found out that, WWD’s leadership roles are minimal compared to their male counterparts with disabilities. Churches have yet to fully integrate GESI policy framework, despite constitutional mandates and the Disability Act of 2025. There is an underrepresentation of women with disabilities of specific disabilities due to financial constraints to accommodate them, causing conflict and discrimination among persons with disabilities. The study stresses that WWD participation requires more than token presence, but transformative action to dismantle deep-rooted inequalities for self-reliance and integration. In regions prone to displacement from floods, churches and government fall short in planning for WWD’s needs, reinforcing the view that their advocacy is solely disability-related. Ultimately, the research calls for religious institutions to adopt holistic, inclusive strategies that recognize intersecting identities and promote equal participation, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals of leaving no one behind. Key words: Barriers, Women with Disabilities, Gender equality, Inclusion, Representation, Church Leadership, Spiritual and Socio-Economic Empowerment