Gender Perspectives on Chicken Farming and Uptake of Newcastle Vaccines and Veterinary Services in Machakos Town Sub-county, Machakos County, Kenya

Abstract

This study was conducted in Machakos town sub-county of Machakos County. Underpinned by a cross-sectional design, the study investigated the gender perspectives on chicken farming and uptake of Newcastle vaccines and veterinary services in Machakos town sub-county. The study specifically sought to: describe the gender roles associated with women and men over chicken farming activities, Newcastle disease (ND) vaccine value chain and veterinary services at the village level; examine the socio-cultural factors that influence women’s access and control over chicken farming resources, ND vaccines and veterinary services; and to establish available local pathways for women to access the information needed on chicken farming activities, and ND vaccine value chain in Machakos town sub-county. The study was guided by The Moser Gender Analysis Framework. The smallholder chicken farmers living in Kola and Kalama wards of Machakos town sub-county, constituted the study population for this study. The Unit of analysis was dual households in Kola and Kalama wards of Machakos town sub-county. Data was collected using quantitative and qualitative methods namely; women’s empowerment in livestock index survey questionnaire (WELI), focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs). The survey questionnaires were administered on 100 dual households, with both women and men chicken farmers that were randomly sampled, aged between 18 and 60 years. Purposive sampling was used to select the key informants and focus group discussion participants. Quantitative data collected was analyzed to produce descriptive statistics that involved data frequencies, percentages and averages. The qualitative audio recorded data from focus discussions and key informant interviews were transcribed verbatim, and the transcripts were coded and analyzed thematically, where the study objectives acted as the parent themes. The study findings indicated that (start with findings on gender roles, then move to findings on socio-cultural factors and finally on local pathways before conclusion and recommendations. Remove irrelevant materials in this section) Reorganize these as indicated above the study recommended that since women were the chicken farming managers at the household level, their voices should be incorporated in decision-making processes that reflected on their unique needs and challenges around uptake of ND vaccines and veterinary services by the community farming elders associations, committees and county government. In terms of research, a study looking at social capital and networks as a form of coping with the equal participation of both women and men farmers in the uptake of ND vaccines and veterinary services in Machakos town sub-county, Machakos county, Kenya, should be conducted.