Factors influencing women's participation in political leadership ,in Rongo constituency, Migori county, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors influencing women’s participation in political leadership in Rongo Constituency, Migori County, Kenya. A lot of strategies have been formulated both nationally and internationally to make it possible for women to participate in political leadership yet the level of women’s participation in this field remains low not only in Kenya but world over. Kenya remains challenged in ascendancy of women into political leadership. At the moment in East Africa, Kenya is the worst performing in women’s political leadership it only has 10 percent of women in the 10th parliament while the rest of the countries in the region have at least achieved the 30 percent target. In the history of Kenya, Rongo constituency has never been represented by a woman member of parliament. At the moment out of the 20 wards in the constituency only 2 are represented by women councilors. The objectives of the study are to assess the influence of demographic factors, economic factors, cultural factors and gender based electoral violence on women’s participation in political leadership. The study was limited by rain and bad weather however the researcher used umbrellas and raincoats to counter this. The study was delimited to Rongo Constituency because it best suits the characteristics under study. Literature was reviewed on the following sub heading: demographic factors and their influence on women’s political leadership, economic factors and their influence on women’s participation in political leadership, cultural factors and its influence on women’s participation in political leadership and gender based electoral violence and its influence on women’s participation in political leadership. The study was conducted through a descriptive survey. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview responses from 384 women in four divisions in Rongo constituency. The sample was arrived at through Morgan’s table.7 women politicians were also purposively sampled to take part in the study. The reliability of the instrument was tested through test re-test method. Data was analyzed using percentage distribution and frequency distribution techniques using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 16.Data collected was analyzed and presented in tables in form of frequencies and percentages. The study concluded that women’s marital status and educational level influence their participation in political leadership. Women are economically disadvantaged therefore that hinders their chances of ascending to political office. Cultural factors also influence women’s participation into political leadership.Culture; patriarchy and public opinion repress women and prevent them from participating in political leadership. In addition gender based electoral violence in form of physical harm; sexual harm and psychological harm directed at women as they campaign for political office discourage women from running for political office. The study recommends that education of women should be promoted more. The education curriculum should also include political training similarly women should negotiate for sharing of domestic responsibilities with other members of the family in order to have time to focus on political careers if they so wish to. Economic empowerment is also critical for women’s participation in political leadership which is highly commercialized. The study recommends the implementation of the inheritance bill which allows women to have collateral that they can use to access funds. There is also need for civic education in Kenya to help propagate issues of women emancipation. Questions related to culture should also be addressed by the said commission. Most importantly the gender rule should be implemented. The study also suggested possible areas of future research based on the findings.