Influence of Politics on Women’s Participation in Social Development in Turkana Central Sub-County, Turkana County, Kenya

Abstract

Women’s participation in social development is fundamental for accomplishing social equity as well as reducing poverty. Worldwide experience shows clearly that supporting a stronger role for women contributes to economic growth, improves child survival and overall family health, and reduces fertility, thus helping to slow population growth rates. However, data show that women are under-represented at all levels of decision-making worldwide and that achieving their goals becomes difficult without them being in politics to influence or push their agenda. Hence, the purpose of this study was to assess the influence of politics on women's participation in social development in Turkana Central Sub-County, Turkana County, Kenya. Liberalism and patriarchy theory was used to guide the study. The study targeted a total population of 630 from 31 women's registered organisations. The study sample was statistically calculated using a confidence level of 95%, a margin of error (confidence interval of 2%) and a population proportion of 50%, and a sampling frame of 500 was arrived at. Using a random selection of numbers in the interval of 5, the sample size obtained was 98. Questionnaires were used for data collection. Data analysis was done using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The descriptive analysis involved the use of frequency, %ages, means and standard deviations, while inferential statistics involved the use of linear regression analysis to measure the relationship between variables. It was found out that political class considered women's participation in development, and according to it, women were considered to be equal to men politically. It was also noted that we have women in community development projects that vie for elective positions and that the political class considered the participation of women in social development. The study further observed that the county assembly had fulfilled the affirmative action of the two-thirds gender rule. The study findings concluded that women's participation in social development was positively correlated to politics. From the study, it is recommended that the public authority should give equivalent freedom to women and men regarding political space and that the climate ought to be favourable for women to take part in political exercises.