Does Kenya’s Vision 2030 Capture The Gender Dimension In The Agricultural Sector?
Abstract
The Vision 2030, Kenya’s long-term development blueprint, identifies Agriculture as the
mainstay of the Kenyan economy, representing 24% of GDP and forming a key sector in the
economic pillar. In the Vision, the Government embraces gender mainstreaming for sustainable
development. Analysis of the extend Gender concerns are truly taken on board has not been
interrogated. The main objective of the study was to conduct a gender audit of the policy and
program plan for the agricultural sector of Vision 2030. Desk studies, questionnaires,
workshop/seminar presentations and focused group discussions were used to identify gaps and
propose improvements in the proposed performance indicators that would capture the gender
dimensions. Gender policy analysis tools were developed and shared with women scientists at
the University of Nairobi, and reviewed by teams of experts. The tools were tested with women
and men farmers from the Mwea Irrigation Scheme, representing a key flagship project in the
policy document. The findings of the study indicate that while attempts have been made to
mainstream gender, there are several gaps, even in the indicators used to capture performance
targets. The study underscores the importance of adequately involving men and women in
policies/ programs/ project design, development, implementation as well as monitoring and
evaluation in order to come up with strategic interventions in the key sector of agriculture.