Factors influencing women participation in the decision making process in community projects: a case of Kitui central district, Kitui County

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to establish the factors influencing participation of women in decision making process in community projects in Kitui Central District Kitui County. The study sought to establish the influence of levels of education, government legal structures and cultural factors in influencing the participation of women in decision making process in community projects in the selected projects in the above mentioned District. A survey research design was employed in the correction of a data that was used to answer research questions on the status of the subject studied. The study employed self administered questionnaires to obtain information from the selected education, youth and water projects in the selected District. The questionnaire for the data collection had both open and closed ended questions to allow for collection of information into greater details. The data was collected using Likert-type questionnaire items using a scale of 1-4. Both quantitative and qualitative data was collected in this study. The data was presented using tables and was analyzed statistically by use of descriptive Statistics. The findings of the study were that, educational level and academic qualifications has significance influence on women participation in decision making process as well as in community project leadership. This was supported by majority of the respondents totaling to 73.3%. It was established that the legal structures of the government has much significance in influencing participation of women in the leadership of community projects. This view was supported by 75.3% of the respondents. The cultural factors were found to have a major influence on women participation in community projects leaderships to a great extend which was supported by 53.3% of the respondents. The study recommendations were on education, the government should allocate more funds for training of women on leadership issues. The free primary and secondary education programs be allocated more funds to lessen the burden on parents so as to encourage more girls’ access education. Secondary school curriculum is revised to include more content that deal with gender issues. On the legal structures of government, the constitution be amended further beyond 1/3 rule to have more women included in leadership the government to enforce adherence to 1/3 rule in all public appointments and government to organize for more educational awareness on gender issues. On Cultural issues, Men be sensitized to support women leadership, Women be encouraged to support each other to attain leadership positions and where a negative cultural practice exists be abandoned