| dc.description.abstract | The work focuses on the contribution of Local Authorities to the enhancement and
perpetuation of gender inequality with the aim to show how such reflect negatively to the
development process.
In academic and intellectual circles, gender discrimination has remained largely
unexplored. Yet within it are serious social problems that ought to attract the attention of
scholars and policy makers, if the problems are to be clearly understood and solutions
found. Additionally, in order for these objectives to be attained, the problems must be
approached from a multidisciplinary angle. Most works have tended to approach the
problem anthropologically.
To give a philosophical dimension to the problem, this thesis has investigated the
constitution of the Local Authorities in Kenya where men have total control. The thesis
started by proposing that such constitutions are logically and empirically indefensible and
that they greatly undermine the success of development at the grassroots level.
Then using tools of philosophical inquiry especially analytic, deductive and conceptual
methods, various variables namely, culture and tradition, colonialism, sex stereotyping
are objectively examined. The thesis finds that these are contributing factors towards
female marginalization in the constitution of the Local Authorities.
The rigorous philosophical investigation confirmed that such variables, all propagate that
women are intellectually, morally and naturally inferior to men, hence are not capable to
make up political leadership. However, upon thorough conceptual and analytical
examination, such claims have been found to be based on myths and conjectures and are
unverifiable and logically unjustifiable.
The study subsequently concludes that the social gender construction based upon
patriarchy and supported by the political systems is not impartial, as it works against the
well being of female gender. That this social gender is radically different from biological
gender hence the two must not be seen as equivalents and used against women.
Finally, the study suggests that such prejudicial social construction of gender are
challengeable and changeable, unlike the biological sex and should be deconstructed to
pave way for more participation of women in positions of leadership. | en |
