Gender Mainstreaming Strategies and Women Political Participation in Kibwezi East Constituency of Makueni County in Kenya

Abstract

The study was carried out in Kibwezi East Constituency of Makueni County based on the following objectives; to examine awareness of existing gender mainstreaming legislations on women political participation, to assess the influence of formal education on women political participation and to establish the relationship between economic empowerment and women political participation in Kibwezi East Constituency. The study was underpinned by Marxist Feminist Theory and Butler Gender Relations Theory. The target population for the study included women aged 18 years and above from Masongaleni County Assembly Ward, randomly selected from the Constituency. A correlational research design was adopted to execute the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 100 respondents. Yamane sample calculation (Israel, 1992) was used to determine the sample size. The study used closed and open ended questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) Version 20.0. The data was summarized through correlational analysis; frequencies, means, percentages, and some inferential statistics. Correlation and regression analysis was undertaken to analyze the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Sixty three percent (63%) of the respondents exhibited awareness of some form of gender mainstreaming policies. Respondents agreed that, education increases women participation in politics with a mean of 2.52. Financial wellbeing doesn't increase women participation in political discussions and debates and women with high income are not likely to attend political meetings with a mean of 2.43 and 2.23 respectively. From the analysis it emerged that equality of access to and attainment of educational qualifications is necessary if more women are to become agents of change. Education of women contributes to gender equality in the areas of political economy. The findings revealed that formal education was a significant predictor of women political participation.  This implied that women with higher education are most likely to participate in politics. Further the study showed that there was no significant relation between economic empowerment and political participation. This implied that, increase in economic status did not necessarily lead to likelihood of political participation. The study concluded that more awareness of gender mainstreaming legislation gender equality in terms of women economic empowerment did not necessarily lead to women political participation. We concluded also that economic empowerment of women did not necessarily lead to enhancement of political participation of women. The researchers recommend the need for increased awareness to boost women empowerment. Motivation for women to get educated as it builds confidence for women to participate in politics. Finally strict adherence and implementation of the 2010 Kenyan constitution since it is gender responsive