Factors influencing women participation in donor-funded projects in Kenya A case of livelihood projects in Mwingi central sub-county, Kitui couny

Abstract

In Kenya, a few donor funded livelihood projects have either crumpled halfway or they have not profited the planned beneficiaries bringing up issues regarding whether or not non-participation of women in conceptualizing and executing the projects may be the reason. This study therefore along these lines assessed the factors that may influence the participation of women in donor funded livelihood projects a case of Mwingi Central Sub-County, Kitui County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were to asses how women leadership, reproductive roles, customary norms and women literacy levels may influence their participation in donor funded projects. The women in development (WID) theory, gender and development (GAD) theory and the empowerment approach formed the key theoretical underpinning of this study. The study utilized a descriptive study and the study’s population involved the seventeen women donor funded livelihood projects in Mwingi Central Sub County with the unit of study being project managers, project supervisors and project chairpersons. The study carried out a census of the 17 women donor funded projects in the six wards in Mwingi Central Sub County. The study utilized primary data information collected through questionnaires which were dropped and picked from the purposefully targeted respondents after fourteen days. In this study, SPSS statistical software version 25 was used in analysis and presentation of the data. Out of the 51 questionnaires issued, only 49 were returned. This represented a response rate of 96 % which the study considered a reliable response rate for data analysis .The study further conducted a interview schedule to 49 beneficiaries across the 17 projects and analyzed their response on the the four study objectives.The study findings revealed that there is minimal participation of women in developmental activities particularly in productive resource ownership, decision making, leadership and access to education. Therefore, there is need for more sensitization to the relevant stakeholders on the importance of educating a woman and the need for women inclusiveness in developmental activities. The study further recommends for intensive advocacy by the relevant stakeholders on the need for women ownership of productive resources.