Mashida's cooking pot: a creative exploration of women issues in Kenya

Abstract

This study demonstrates that a creative writer is capable of capturing the events. activities and life of a society. The study also shows that creative work is suitable in capturing the plight of the less privileged in the society, in this case women and girls. The plight, struggle ad achievement of women in Kenya today has been illustrated in this 'study. The paper, comprising six short stories. demonstrates how cultural and traditional beliefs contribute to the hindrance of women's progress. Practices such as female circumcision and early marriages are some of the main hindrances to women's progress. The struggle of women to liberate themselves is also illustrated by this study. Access to education by the women is indicated as one avenue through which women are able to liberate themselves. The study, therefore. shows women' s struggle to acquire education which has the power to liberate them. The achievements of women is also celebrated in this study. It (the study) highlights participation in politics and acquisition of leadership positions in the society as some of the achievements of women in Kenya today.