Factors influencing women participation in community based Development projects in kipsonoi ward, Sotik sub-county, Bomet County, Kenya

Abstract

This study is to investigate factors influencing women participation in community development projects by women group in Kipsonoi ward, Sotik Sub-county, Bomet County. The cultural values, level of education, resources and family responsibilities are the factors to be investigated in regard to women participation in development projects. Most of the rural people still keep some cultural values that hinder women from participating in community development. Most of these cultural values upheld male chauvinism thus making women to feel that they are unable to participate. Education is the key to any economic improvement of any society; therefore education level for rural women has a direct relationship on their participation in community based development projects. Another factor is resources. This is a factor that incapacitates women from active participation in community based development projects. Family responsibilities also had a direct bearing on their participation in community projects. Having in mind that we live in patriarchal society, most married women may not be able to make decisions in regard to participation in projects without seek for an idea from the husband. This leads to lack of power to make decisions and may result in a negative effect on women participation in projects. Most women in rural areas have the responsibilities of giving birth, taking care of the children and more so the sick and old people that lead them to lack enough time to participate in community projects. The Kenya constitution (2010) have the issue of gender mainstreaming but still rural women lacks the capacity and information hence still isolated and marginalized. The study employed descriptive survey research design and the target population was women groups from rural areas of Kipsonoi ward. The sample size was from thirty women groups. The researcher will use a questionnaire as a data collection instruments pilot testing will be done in one of the group that is not selected in collection of data. The descriptive statistics data analysis techniques will be used to analyze data collected.