Influence Of Women Participation On Sustainability Of The Community Conservation Project Implemented By Jaldesa Community Conservancy In Marsabit County, Kenya.

Abstract

Community-based resource management has different costs and benefits across genders. While there is benefit of women participation, achieving equitable participation has been difficult. It is also becoming increasingly known that gender equity is key to conservation effectiveness and sustainability. The purpose of this study was therefore to examine the influence of women participation on sustainability of the community conservation project implemented by Jaldesa Community Conservancy in Marsabit County, Kenya. The study had four research objectives that included determination of how women participation in decision making, their participation in implementation of the project, their participation in access and control of resources, and finally how their participation in capacity building activities influenced the sustainability of the community conservation project. The design for this study was a cross-sectional survey and employed a mixed mode of research encompassing qualitative and quantitative research. The study was guided by Participatory Theory and Ecological Feminism Theory. The target population was 19,860 and a sample of 443 respondents selected from the population using probability and non-probability sampling criteria. A Pilot study was conducted using similar respondents and reliability analysis done using Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient. Primary data was collected by the researcher using questionnaires and focus group discussions. Data was analysed by descriptive statistics using SPSS version 25. Pearson’s moment correlation was used to establish the relationship between the independent and the dependent variables. The study revealed that there was a significant and positive relationship between dependent and independent variables. It was recommended that the national government and the county government of Marsabit should improve on ways of increasing women participation in decision making. It was additionally recommended that women should be more involved in the implementation of the projects. Further, women should be empowered to have more access and control of resources. Lastly, the researcher recommended that there should be a lot of capacity building for women. Based on the limitations and delimitations of the study, the researcher suggested that studies on influence of government policies on sustainability of community conservation projects, role of county government on sustainability of community conservation projects and a study on influence of public private sector collaboration on sustainability of community conservation projects should be conducted.