Challenges of mainstreaming gender in Kenya's ministry of livestock development

Abstract

The Ministry of Livestock Development has adopted gender mainstreaming as a strategy for advancing gender equality and equity and contribute to the realization of Vision 2030. This study was thus conducted between October and November 2009 in Nairobi and sought to investigate the challenges experienced by the policy makers and managers as they implement gender mainstreaming at different levels in the ministry. The main question therefore was: What challenges do policy makers and managers experience as they implement gender mainstreaming in the ministry? The primary objective was to study the challenges of gender mainstreaming strategies in respect to policy makers and managers in the ministry. The study adopted a survey design because the researcher intended to collect cross sectional data on gender mainstreaming challenges in the ministry. The main instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire which was administered to employees in the Ministry of Livestock development targeting 100% of the total population through stratified random sampling. The Drop-and-Pick later approach was used to collect the questionnaire. Out of the 60 questionnaires distributed, 42 were filled and returned giving a response rate of 70%. The research questions were systematically generated from the objectives. The data collected was cleaned, coded and analyzed using SPSS computer package. Descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis were used to help in drawing comparisons and conclusions based on the results obtained, interview responses were analyzed qualitatively. The findings show that some of the challenges faced in gender main streaming include; gender policy dissemination challenge. About 53% M the respondents agreed that gender policy exists but the challenge arises during implementation and dissemination of the policy as responded by 72.2% of the officers. About 90.5% agreed that the policy is not made available for all staff at all levels in the ministry. About 54% disagreed that affirmative action is used in recruitment of staff in the ministry, a further 61% disagreed that the contents of induction program contain aspects of gender mainstreaming. Indeed, the respondents indicated that mentorship program on gender mainstreaming is not available. Career and training challenge was also noted where about 66.7% of the respondents noted that no professional gender mobility exists .in the ministry, with another 47.5% disagreeing that training opportunities include gender. Finally the working environment challenge was noted where about 85% agreed that there is a gap between men and women with 88.1% saying that meetings in the ministry are dominated by men. Lastly, the financial challenge, about 97% of vi the respondents agreed that there is no adequate fund for gender mainstreaming; hence it becomes difficult to streamline gender initiatives. The second objective sought to determine the strategies of gender mainstreaming in the Ministry of Livestock Development. Qualitative analysis was used to analyze data gathered by use of interview guide on policy makers and senior managers in the ministry of Livestock Development. The challenges can be overcome over time with proper sensitization that should be continuous till attitude change is attained. This should start with the top management; however, there is need for political good will. Institutionalization of gender policy must be fully consultative with a clear definition of the office dealing with gender issues in the ministry. There is need for commitment by people dealing with gender issues. In addition the people should be knowledgeable on gender and thus able to engender and manage budget and other resources. Allocation of adequate budget is an important activity. Gender should be part of performance contracting and during cascading of the contract there is need to lobby for money from treasury if gender is to be reflected in the performance contract. The study observed that there is a disconnect between policy makers and managers at all levels, the respondents indicated the need to engage senior managers and policy makers at all levels. The government system is rigid. The ministry should be open to seriously undertake the new developments while embracing immerging issues. In conclusion, the study established that a number of challenges are faced in the mainstreaming of gender in the Ministry of Livestock Development. Although gender policy statements exist in different policy documents, there is lack of clear frame work and commitment to main streaming gender in the ministry. The challenges can be solved by institutionalization of the gender poli~ies, commitment by policy makers and creating a unit to deal with gender issues as part of their performance contracts and continuous gender training and sensitization. It requires a national gender policy with clear coordination and performance metrics on the implementation