The decentralization mechanism in Zambia aimed at promoting local development and empowering marginalized groups, including women, through targeted grant financing. Despite a substantial increase in CDF allocations, concerns remain regarding the effective utilization of women’s grants. This study evaluated institutional and administrative factors influencing the effective utilization of women’s grants under the CDF in Mwansabombwe Constituency. A descriptive mixed-methods research design was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected from women grant beneficiaries and key CDF stakeholders using a sample size of 72 respondents. The findings revealed that inadequate awareness, weak monitoring and evaluation systems, negatively affected the effective utilization of the grants. Although 158 women’s groups successfully accessed the grants between 2022 and 2025, evidence of sustainable business growth and long-term economic empowerment remained limited, highlighting a gap between grant disbursement and intended developmental outcomes. The study concludes that enhancing monitoring, evaluation, and post-disbursement support were critical to improving the effectiveness of the women’s grant component under the CDF. The study recommended the development of a quarterly monitoring framework for all funded groups, the establishment of mandatory business mentorship programs, support for women engaged in agricultural enterprises through bulk procurement of agricultural inputs such as fertilizer, seed, and agrochemicals, the provision of regular entrepreneurship and financial literacy training before and after grant disbursement, and the expansion of sensitization programs through Ward Development Committees (WDCs), traditional leaders, community radio stations, churches, and mobile messaging platforms. This study contributes to existing literature by shifting attention from grant accessibility to grant utilization. 

Keywords: Constituency Development Fund, Grant, Social empowerment, Women empowerment.