An Examination of the Gender Experiences in Conflict Management Among Communities in Tana River County, Kenya

Abstract

Increasing conflicts in many parts of the world are responsible for many losses of lives and destruction to property. Men and women have been cited as experiencing conflicts in unique, diverse and dissimilar ways. In Tana River County of Kenya, conflicts have persistently occurred among the communities with no durable solutions. The study specifically examined the gender experiences in conflict management among communities in Tana River County. The study was guided by the social conflict theory. The study adopted descriptive research design. The target population was male and female heads of households; managers of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs); managers of Community Based Organizations (CBOs); youths and, administrative chiefs. The sample size was 384 comprising of 182 female and 202 male heads of households and 22 key informants selected randomly from NGOs, CBOs and area administrative units. The study used both probability and non-probability sampling techniques to select participants who responded to questionnaires, interview and focus group discussions. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative data analysis and presentation was done using frequencies, tables and charts. The study found out the experiences of men and women in conflict management are different. Men’s experiences are more on inadequate skills, hostility and difficulty in being trusted to handle conflicts fairly. Women on the other hand have experiences ranging from marginalization, discrimination and gender based violence to unguaranteed security during conflict. The study concludes that the differences in experiences have a potential to influence conflict management. The study recommends that the processes of conflict management should be cognizant of the fact that men and women experience conflicts differently. In order to reduce the conflicts, the managers of conflict among communities in Tana River county should take into account the differences in order to develop interventions that can reduce conflicts in the communities . (297 words) Keywords : gender experiences, gender differences, conflict management DOI : 10.7176/JEP/10-27-13 Publication date :September 30 th 2019