Gendered evaluation of poverty reduction policies, projects and their implementation approaches in Baringo north sub-county, Baringo county, Kenya

Abstract

Poverty has been a critical challenge the world over. Huge amounts of resources and expertise have been invested in poverty reduction policies and projects to address Poverty. Globally, women are more vulnerable to the effects of poverty compared to men and this stifles the wheels of development. Apparently Poverty Reduction Policies through Community projects have significant impacts on poverty. However, there has been a growing concern about the roles that men and women play and their impacts on Poverty. To unpack this scenario, this study therefore sought to evaluate Poverty Reduction Policies and Projects and their Implementation Approaches in Baringo North Sub-County, Baringo County, from a gendered perspective. The study targeted project beneficiaries, implementers and key respondents as the main constituents of the sampling frame. The study’s objectives were: to establish the awareness levels of project beneficiaries on the policies and projects implemented, to examine the roles played by the project beneficiaries in the planning and implementation of those policies and projects, to determine the difference in roles played by the project beneficiaries in the implementation of the projects and, to find out the challenges facing the implementation of the projects, all from a gendered perspective. The study is predicated on the Rights -Based Theory that envisages equal rights in participation and benefits. To achieve these objectives, the study used random sampling in the selection of the study sample. Out of 6000 households in two selected wards thirty percent was drawn which was 1800 from which, a sample of a ten percent was used for the study totaling to 180 which included; household heads, community leaders, the sponsors and the District Development officer. The study utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods in data collection. They were; structured household questionnaires, secondary documents, interview schedules and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs).Data obtained was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 22.0.Analysis used descriptive and inferential statistics and frequencies and percentages. The findings of the study revealed that individual awareness and participation at the various stages of the project cycle was dependent on their gender. The findings showed Poverty Reduction Policies were gender blind and that men took over most of the influential positions in projects. It also showed that the implementation processes were marred with corruption, nepotism and patronage. That there was no sustainability mechanisms after the project cycle hence their impacts were temporary and unfelt. Following this, the study recommends that the government should institute policy measures to prevent marginalization of women in community development projects and to ensure that Policies are gender inclusive. Community members should be involved from project initiation to the end