Determinants of female labour force participation in Kenyan urban areas

Abstract

There are several factors, that affect the participation of females in the Kenyan urban areas. The study seeks to address itself to these factors. In particular, the paper focuses on identification and analysis of factors which determine female labour force participation in urban Kenya. The study begins by examining the background of the Kenyan labour market from colonial times to the present time. It goes further to make the following hypotheses: (a) Age is positively related to participation of female labour force up to a certain age group (40-44) then declines thereafter; (b) There is a negative relationship between marital status and female labour force participation; (c) Education has a positive relationship to female labour force participation: (d) The higher the number of children, the lower is the rate of female participation in labour force; (e) The effect of income on the determination of females in labour force can be either positive or negative and Islamic religion has a negative influence on the participation of females in labour force. Probit method of analysis was used in estimating the binary response variable of participation or non participation in labour force. The major findings of the study indicated that participation of females is positively related to age only up to a certain extent then it starts declining. Marital status had a negative impact while education and highest level of education reached had positive impacts. Total number of children per woman did not affect the participation of females in labour force and this fact I has a major policy implication in Keny~ Household income per capita does not affect the participati6h of females 1n labour force. But when a separate regression was run using income variable alone; it was found that it is the female middle income earner who participates more in labour force. The study found that Islamic influence had a negative relationship to the participation of females in labour force. Arising from these findings, the study makes suggestions for policy regarding female participation in the Kenyan Urban sector; (a) Women should be encouraged to get highest educational qualifications so that there could be better opportunities open to them in labour market; (b) Women should specialise in more technical fields so as to compete effectively with men in the labour market. This requires the government to expand more science stream schools for women; (c) Early pregnancies should be discouraged and heavy penalties should be given to men who impregnate young girls; (d) Advocate traditional family planning methods since western family planning methods have not succeeded and (e) Educate both females and males on the use of family planning methods.