Determinants of Women’s Participation in Community Development Projects in Mandera County, Kenya

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate the determinants Of Women Participation In Community Development Projects In Mandera County, Kenya. Methodology: Descriptive survey research design was used. The target population of the study was est. 10,000 eligible women involved in various projects in the six (6) constituencies across Mandera County. A simple random sampling and a total of 207 respondents selected as the study sample. Primary data was collected via questionnaires issued by drop and pick method. Quantitative data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The data was presented in form of tables, graphs, and pie charts. Correlation analysis was conducted to assess the strength of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Regression analysis was employed to establish factors determining women's participation in community development projects in Mandera County, Kenya. Results: The study concludes that socio-cultural practices, education and political factors have a direct influence on women participation in community-based projects. Specifically, Socio cultural practices and politics were found to be the major impediments to women participation in community projects while education was found to be an impetus. The study calls for government to fast track implementation of the existing legal framework against retrogressive socio-cultural practices such as FGM and early marriages, to enact more laws that promote and guarantee women and other minority groups' education and inclusion in running of both the private and the public sector. Unique Contribution to Theory and Practice: Further studies were recommended on impediments of actualization of gender equality in political leadership in in Kenya. A replication of this study is recommended but in different communities across the country and in both the African and Asian continents. This is to inform generalization of this study findings.