Barriers to women's participation in constituency Development fund (CDF) projects in Kilome constituency,Eastern province, Kenya.
Abstract
This was a cross-sectional study on barriers to women's participation in CDF projects in
Kilome constituency. The study specifically sought to determine the extent of knowledge of
CDF funded projects in Kilome constituency by women, to establish socio-cultural barriers
to women's participation in CDF projects in Kilome constituency and to determine economic
barriers to active participation of women at large in CDF projects. The study was guided by
the social relations approach.
The study used a sample of a 100 respondents randomly selected. Data was collected through
survey questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews. Data
collected through survey questionnaires was ana lysed though SPSS while data gathered from
Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews was analysed thematically.
The findings of the study reveal a high awareness of the existence of CDF amongst the study
subjects but low knowledge on the project details such as the amounts of money so far
disbursed. Barriers to participation in the CDF activities that are socio-cultural in nature
include the perceived inferior status of women in the society, the relegation of women to the
domestic sphere rather than be given 'public positions such as those in the CDF management
institutions. The existence of gender-blind policies in the .. management of the CDF projects at
the devolved level is another social factor leading to lower participation of women. The
social barriers combine with economic aspects which include lack of strong economic
associations for women that improve their management skills in financial affairs.
The study recommends awareness creation on CDF Act provision targeted at women
members of the society. This should be done in the local dialect to cater for the low literacy
levels identified amongst the women in Kilome constituency. There is need to publicly
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display the CDF project information to reveal the statuses of the projects in terms of the
amounts of money disbursed and the available participatory avenues for the community by
the CDFC. Finally, the CDF national management committee should move an amendment to
the CDF act that expressly provides for a proportionate representation of women in each of
the management committees for the CDF
Sponsorhip
The University of NairobiPublisher
Department of gender