Factors determining women’s participation in the management of co-operative societies in Njoro Sub-County, Nakuru County

Abstract

A lot of strategies have been formulated both nationally and internationally to ensure women participate in leadership. There is a constitutional provision in the 2010 Kenya Constitution requirement of two-thirds gender representation that institutionalizes direct gender-specific measures and continued efforts to empower women. There are also international instruments such as Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and article 9 of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, known as the Maputo Protocol that guarantees comprehensive rights to women to participate in the political and decision-making Process. Women are underrepresented as leaders in elective office. The Study set to investigate why women are fewer in management positions in Co-operative societies in Njoro Sub-County despite their huge share holding. The reliability of the instrument was tested. The study used both qualitative and quantitative research methods and 353 officials and members of sampled Co-operative societies were interviewed through open and close ended questionnaires. 37 extension officers who were key informants provided views through In-depth interviews and 21 focus group discussions were conducted. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Application by way of chi square test was used. Data is presented in table form of frequencies; percentage, means, mode, and range were used to present findings. The specific objectives were to find out the influence of education, age, sex, and marital status, the influence of economic and social factors in women’s participation in leadership and the influence of cultural factors including patriarchy in women’s participation in management of Co-operative societies in Njoro Sub-County. The study established that only 30 per cent of women are in management of Co-operative societies despite them being more than 75 per cent in numerals as members and shareholders. The study established that gender disparities in decision making positions in these enterprises exist due to social, cultural, demographic and economic factors and attitudes in patriarchal oriented structure. The study concludes that women are disadvantaged due to their dual roles of production and reproduction therefore deters their chances of ascending to office. Cultural factors such as marital status also determine women’s participation in leadership. Patriarchy and public opinion repress women and prevent them from participating in leadership. In addition gender based electoral violence in form of psychological harm directed at women as they campaign for office discourages women from running for elective office. It is hoped that the outcome of the study will persuade comprehensive policy formulation and women empowerment to ensure that women ascend to leadership in Co-operative societies. Most significantly the 2010 Kenya Constitution gender rule of should be implemented. The study also suggested possible areas of future study based on the findings.