Political Leadership Participation Research Articles

Influence of Local Politics on Women Participation in Leadership Positions in Turkana County, Kenya

Gender inequalities continue to persist, raising concerns among gender advocates about the goodwill and commitment of governments to achieve equality. Women, especially from pastoralist communities, are regarded only as housewives, hence inferior to men. However, some women have emerged and thrived in leadership opportunities, irrespective of this belief. This paper sought to assess the influence of local politics on women's participation in leadership positions in Turkana County. Specifically, the study sought to determine the influence of political factors on women's participation in political leadership in Turkana County. The paper was anchored on The Social Feminist Theory and The Theory of Structural Functionalism, which provided insights on the influence of local politics on women's participation in political leadership. The paper adopted a case study design as a route to investigate the research subject. The target population of the study was 168 women leaders from the county government of Turkana. A sample size of 131 respondents, determined via Krejcie and Morgan's 1970 formula, was used. A questionnaire and interview guide were used as data collection instruments. Data was analyzed quantitatively using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 26 and presented in tables and charts, while qualitative data was grouped into common themes. Inferential statistics were used to evaluate the influence of local politics on women's participation in political leadership which had a mean weighted mean of 2.72; indicating a significant influence on women participating in political leadership in Turkana County. The study recommends that more women be encouraged by the county government of Turkana, community actors, and political parties to take part in leadership roles by adopting guidelines that are not discriminatory.

How women hold up half the sky? A configurational analysis of women’s political leadership participation?

PurposeExisting research has examined the results of women’s political leadership participation (WPLP) and the reasons for the lack of advancement of women to management positions. However, little research has been adopting a more comprehensive framework and configuration perspective to investigate the determinants of WPLP. By integrating institutional theory and institutional complementarities theory, this study aims to construct an institution–culture–structure framework to investigate the multiple driving mechanisms of WPLP.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis method and a sample of 66 countries, the authors identify multiple equifinal combinations of conditions related to high and not-high levels of WPLP.FindingsAccording to the results, the authors summarize five pathways influencing WPLP. These pathways include education and culture-driven pattern, political institutions-driven pattern, political institutions and structure-driven pattern, integrated-driven pattern and political institutions and culture restrictive pattern.Originality/valueThe authors shed new light on the driving mechanism of WPLP and contribute to research on making full out of women’s leadership.

The socio-political implication of participation and representation of Aembu women in political leadership in Embu County, Kenya, between 1952 and 2017

This study examined the sociopolitical ramifications of Aembu women's participation and representation in Kenya's political leadership up to 2017. Written history has documented male dominance in politics but not the involvement of women. The underrepresentation of women in political institutions, particularly among the Aembu of Kenya, has also received little from academics. The study was based on the assumption that Embu women participated in political leadership representation up until 1963, were represented in political leadership up until 1991, and were still represented in political leadership after Section 2A of the Kenyan Constitution was repealed. The technique for the study was a descriptive research design. The study was conducted at Mbeere in Embu. The snowballing technique was used to choose a deliberate sample of the respondents. A random sample of 50 Mbeere residents were interviewed. To guarantee the neutrality and trustworthiness of the study, oral sources, archival sources, and secondary sources were all utilised as data sources. Primary data was gathered utilising an interview schedule and from the national archives, whilst secondary data was acquired through thorough literature searches for trustworthy papers. According to the study's findings, increasing the presence of women among the Aembu calls for both regulatory changes and making sure the two-thirds gender rule is adhered to. The study concluded that the participation and representation of women in political leadership have had significant social and political implications in Embu County. This study has helped the political historiography of the area.

Women’s participation in political leadership: Standpoints from Central Asia and Central Europe

This article aims at determining the influence of power distribution within families on women’s views of politicians. The work represents the first cross-cultural study of gender stereotypes about political leaders embracing post-socialist Central Asian and Central European countries. The responses of 6,869 women to the Life in Transition Survey III were analyzed using a quantitative research study. A multivariate linear regression model and correlation coefficients allowed us to identify the relationship between patriarchal and patrilocal families with a high level of gender stereotypes and the impact of individual women's decisions on their lower bias. No positive effect of spouses’ mutual decisions on the level of gender stereotypes was revealed. The theoretical importance of the work lies in expanding the existing knowledge about the influence of family power on women’s internal beliefs, which broadens the understanding of the Western Role Congruity Theory in emerging economies.

Contextual Factors Influencing Women’s Participation in Political Leadership in Kakamega County, Kenya

Women are still underrepresented in positions of political leadership despite making up half of the world’s population. Numerous conventions, protocols, and international agreements exist for gender mainstreaming, along with advancements in tactics to boost women’s political engagement, but all must demonstrate their efficacy in achieving gender parity in political representation. The state of affairs is especially appalling in developing nations. The lack of equal representation of women in leadership positions creates deeper, non-gender-based disparities that prevent women from participating in decision-making, participating in governance, and devising policies that address women’s issues. Kenya has made efforts to establish gender equity in political leadership, although little progress has been made.This study sought toexaminehowselected contextual factors influence women’s participation in political leadership in Kakamega County in Kenya.The study adopted a cross-cultural study design with a mixed methods approach.Structured Questionnaires were used to collect data from 160 respondents randomly selected from the study area. 16 key informants purposively selected for the study were also interviewed using Key informant interview guides. The data collection tools were pretested in Bungoma County and a reliability coefficient (r) of 0.78 attained. Quantitative data obtained was analyzed using the Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software version 23. Both descriptive statistics (means, modes, medians, standard deviations) and inferential statistics (Chi-Square and ANOVA) were used to analyze the data.Qualitative data obtained was analyzed thematically. The results revealed that the predominant patriarchal culture and the electoral system were un favorable to women in electoral politics and attainment of political leadership. Additionally, unfriendly rules at formal institutions of Political parties, limited access to financial resources for political campaigns for women political aspirants, biases in the selection processes from political party candidatesand the media were all an impediment for women political aspirants. The study recommends that the government and civil society launch civic education campaigns emphasizing the importance of women’s participation in political leadership and representation. The government and civil society organizations should also organize tailored training and capacity building for female candidates on effective strategies for raising funds, as well as effective ways to use those funds. The media professionals should also be sensitized on the importance of equality in media coverage, as well as the need to portray women as capable leaders. Finally, the government should enforce electoral laws governing political violence, campaign spending limits, and the conduct of political parties.

Determinants of Women Parliamentary Roles in Liberia

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of women participation in political leadership in, Bomi County.
 Methodology: The sample size will be determined using Krejice and Morgan Formula. The research instruments will generate quantitative and qualitative data. Qualitative data will be analyzed by use of thematic analysis and the results will be presented in a prose form. Quantitative data will be analyzed by use of both inferential and descriptive statistics. Descriptive statistics will include percentages, and frequencies, mean, and standard deviation.
 Findings: The study revealed that in the society that we are living in it is controlled and subjugated by men over women and that men are given a superior societal prominence over females which has crept into public life and is reflected even in state performance and in county governments in Liberia.
 Conclusion: The study concludes that Liberia as a country is expected to take lawmaking and channel which include confirmatory action programs and strategies intended to restore shortcoming encountered by women due to prejudice.
 Recommendation: The study recommends Women should be exposed to work in sections with higher amount of progressive advancement or in areas that transform to executive progression since they are not inferior provided, they have the same qualifications with the male counter parts.

The Papuan Women's Participation Perspective in Political Leaders

This study observes that the participation of Papuan women in politics is very small to date, even after the government policy regarding women's representation of 30% and changes in cultural and customary perspectives in Papua towards the position of women still have not been able to increase the participation of Papuan women in the ranks of political leadership. , so that the purpose of this research is to describe how the perspective of Papuan women's participation in political leadership is. This study uses qualitative research methods by using literature/library studies that support the results of this study. The framework of this research uses the Longwe analysis approach (Sara Hlupekile Longwe) or commonly referred to as the Women's Empowerment Criteria or Women's Development Criteria, is an analytical approach developed as a method of empowering women with five analytical criteria. include: welfare, access, critical awareness, participation, and control. However, this research will focus on the cultural background and the dimensions of participation. The results of this study found that there was already participation of Papuan women in political leadership, but the number was still small due to external factors, especially the background in the form of an existing culture, and internally in terms of individual motivation who really needed a figure or role model.

The Effect of Culture on Women’s Participation in Political Leadership in Mogadishu, Federal Republic of Somalia

The Effect of Culture on Women’s Participation in Political Leadership in Mogadishu, Federal Republic of Somalia

Women Participation in Sub-National Level Politics in Ghana's Fourth Republic

Debate over the factors that perpetuate male dominance in political representation all over the world continues. Several factors have been cited, including the fact that women have a weak foundation in political party leadership which forms the basis for subsequent progression in leadership. In spite of the fact that women have the capacity to compete favorably in national politics if they have a say in choosing who stands for elections at political party level, several studies tend to pay less attention on women’s leadership in political parties at the subnational level. Using qualitative methods, the paper makes a contribution to women’s participation in political leadership using the two dominant political parties, the National Democratic Congress and New Patriotic Party, that have alternated political power in Ghana since the return to constitutional rule in 1993. Findings showed that women’s representation in political party leadership at the subnational level mirrors national trends, albeit some local particularities including unfavorable meeting time where such decisions are taken. The paper concludes that the creation of the women’s wings in Ghanaian political parties and the institutionalization of financial waivers for women are necessary but not sufficient conditions to boost women activism in subnational party politics.

Affirmative Action as a Strategy for Promoting Women’s Participation in Politics in the Frafra Traditional Area of Ghana

While the use of affirmative action to increase women’s political participation in societies where socio-cultural factors militate against women’s political interests, popular measures do not go beyond quota systems. This paper therefore examines the ideological, programmatic and socio-cultural impacts of affirmative action on women’s political participation in the Frafra traditional area of Ghana, using a qualitative research approach. Results indicated that ideologically, affirmative action is perceived as policies and strategies that aim at the protection of the interests of women’s interest in politics. Programmatically affirmative action programmes such as capacity building and mentoring of women for participation in political leadership were found to be based on existing policies. Socio-cultural factors were found to be a major impediment to affirmative action programmes for the promotion of women’s political participation. Hence, it was concluded that the use of affirmative action for the promotion of women’s political inclusion would remain ineffective unless the socio-cultural factors that undermine them are addressed. Keywords : Affirmative Action, Women’s Political Inclusion, Frafra Traditional Area

Women’s Participation in Entrepreneurial and Political Leadership: The Importance of Culturally Endorsed Implicit Leadership Theories

This paper explores how globally endorsed leadership behaviors affect women’s involvement in leadership by empirically examining the impact of Project GLOBE’s culturally endorsed implicit leadership theories on a sample of female business and political leaders. The study examines two continuous dependent variables provided by the World Bank: Female Seats in National Parliaments (%) and Self-employed Females (% of Total Self-employment). Regression analysis was used to test the viability of the culturally endorsed implicit leadership theories as possible predictors of women’s participation in leadership. The results indicate that charismatic leadership and self-protective leadership are predictors of women’s leadership participation but in different ways; the former has a positive effect for participation in both leadership (political and business) contexts and the latter has a negative effect only on political leadership participation.

Women’s participation in entrepreneurial and political leadership: The importance of culturally endorsed implicit leadership theories

This paper explores how globally endorsed leadership behaviors affect women’s involvement in leadership by empirically examining the impact of Project GLOBE’s culturally endorsed implicit leadership theories on a sample of female business and political leaders. The study examines two continuous dependent variables provided by the World Bank: Female Seats in National Parliaments (%) and Self-employed Females (% of Total Self-employment). Regression analysis was used to test the viability of the culturally endorsed implicit leadership theories as possible predictors of women’s participation in leadership. The results indicate that charismatic leadership and self-protective leadership are predictors of women’s leadership participation but in different ways; the former has a positive effect for participation in both leadership (political and business) contexts, and the latter has a negative effect only on political leadership participation.

The Asal Policy of Kenya: Releasing the Full Potential of Arid and Semi-Arid Lands - An Analytical Review

The arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya have much to offer our country. It is time that we looked at them differently, recognizing their strengths and resources and understanding what makes them distinct. By doing so, we will remove the injustices from which they have suffered for too long, contribute to achieving our national development goals, and act in accordance with the spirit and commitments of our Constitution. (Hon. Mohamed Ibrahim Elmi, Minister of State for Development of Northern Kenya and Other Arid Lands, Foreword to the ASAL Policy) The Government of Kenya adopted a national policy on arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) in October 2012, concluding a process that took nearly two decades and involved the production of several drafts (Republic of Kenya 2012). Sessional Paper No. 8 of 2012 on the National Policy for the Sustainable Development of Northern Kenya and Other Arid Lands (hereafter the ASAL Policy) was launched by the Minister of State for Development of Northern Kenya and Other Arid Lands, the Hon. Mohamed Ibrahim Elmi--himself a pastoralist and a long-time advocate for pastoralism--at a public function in Nairobi on 5 February 2013. Also launched at the same function was the institutional framework for the ASALs. Adoption of the ASAL Policy marks an important milestone in the institutionalization of appropriate policy responses to the marginalization and underdevelopment of the ASALs. It is effectively the most significant achievement of the Ministry of State for Development of Northern Kenya and Other Arid Lands (MNKOAL), which was created by President Kibaki in April 2008 with the stated objective of focusing on and addressing the unique challenges facing ASALs. The policy reinforces other positive measures for the ASALs articulated in Kenya Vision 2030 of 2008, the 2010 Constitution of Kenya and the 2009 National Land Policy. Together, these policy instruments constitute a strong foundation for the sustainable development of the ASALs. Backed by the proposed institutional framework they put in place an appropriate policy and institutional framework for addressing the livelihoods and development challenges of the ASALs. The ASAL Policy makes a strong case for integrating the ASALs into the national economy, stating that: The Government recognizes that Kenya will not achieve sustained growth in her economy and progress as a nation if the ASALs are not appropriately factored into national planning and development. Trickle down approaches from areas which already have more favourable investment climates have not worked; moreover the potential for significant growth in these areas is now limited. (Chapter 1.6) Marginalized since Colonial Times The ASALs cover nearly 90 per cent of Kenya's land mass and are home to nearly 30 per cent of its population. In addition, they hold approximately 70 per cent of the national livestock herd and are the location of most of the country's national parks, which support its thriving wildlife tourism. Yet the ASALs have not historically received policy attention commensurate with their importance to the country and its economy. Instead, they have been marginalized in terms of resource allocation, infrastructure development, social-service delivery and economic investment. The population in the ASALs have had little or no participation in political leadership and hence no opportunity to influence policy decisions and actions in their favour. Colonial approaches to the ASALs continued in the post-colonial era and became institutionalized in the country's economic development blueprint, Sessional Paper No. 10 of 1965 on African Socialism and its Application to Planning in Kenya, which focused national economic development strategies towards agriculture, investing resources in the so-called high-potential areas. In the 1965 sessional paper the government made a deliberate policy choice to starve the ASALs of resources. …

Women’s Political Leadership Participation around the World: An Institutional Analysis

Understanding institutional systems is critical for the advancement of women’s participation in leadership in varying contexts. A unique and global analysis of the contextual factors that affect women in political leadership, this paper extends prior research in the field. This is a cross-country study where we ask, “How are societal-level institutional forces related to women’s participation in political leadership?” We collected data from 8 secondary sources on 181 countries and conducted linear regression analyses with six institutional influences: the business environment, societal development, the economic environment, physical and technological infrastructure, political freedom, and culture. Results indicate that to increase the political leadership participation of women, we need to evaluate the following: customs and trade regulations, graft, the gender gap in political empowerment, public spending on education, the economic viability of the country, access to power and the internet, political freedom, and cultural variables like performance orientation, collectivism, and power distance.

Women's political leadership participation around the world: An institutional analysis

Understanding institutional systems is critical for the advancement of women's participation in leadership in varying contexts. A unique and global analysis of the contextual factors that affect women in political leadership, this paper extends prior research in the field. This is a cross-country study where we ask, “How are societal-level institutional forces related to women's participation in political leadership?” We collected data from 8 secondary sources on 181 countries and conducted linear regression analyses with six institutional influences: the business environment, societal development, the economic environment, physical and technological infrastructure, political freedom, and culture. Results indicate that to increase the political leadership participation of women, we need to evaluate the following: customs and trade regulations, graft, the gender gap in political empowerment, public spending on education, the economic viability of the country, access to power and the internet, political freedom, and cultural variables like performance orientation, collectivism, and power distance.