| dc.description.abstract | This study was to investigate factors that influence participation in the development projects by rural women in Mosocho Division of Kisii County. The level of education, cultural values, accessibility to finance, accessibility to information, marital status and government policy were the factors to be investigated in regard to women participation in development project. Education plays a significant role in the economy of any society; therefore the education level of rural women has a direct bearing on their participation in development projects. Another factor that contributed to limited participation was the cultural values that are upheld in rural areas. Most of these cultural values uphold male chauvinism thus making women feel that they are lesser beings.
Likewise most rural women have limited access to finances; this was another factor incapacitating them from active participation in development projects. Information is a key element in development; consequently, accesses to information was identified as another factor impacting on participation in development projects by rural women in development projects. Information is power, therefore lack of it may impact negatively on women participation in projects and access to it may enhance their participation. The marital status of a woman also had a direct bearing on her participation in projects.
Considering that we live in a patriarchal society, most married women may not be able to make decisions in regard to participation in projects without considering their spouses. This lack of decision making power may have a negative effect on women participation in projects. Women in rural areas are isolated, confined and marginalized through the non- interactive government policies and this impact on their participation in development projects. The study employed descriptive survey research design and the target population was women from rural areas of Mosocho Division. The Sample size was 102 female leaders of self help groups and women groups .The researcher used a Questionnaire and an interview schedule as data collection Instruments. Pilot testing was done in the neighboring Getembe Division. Data collection was done by the researcher herself .
Finally, the Descriptive statistics data analysis technique and SPSS were used to analyse the collected data. The research findings indicated that level of education, cultural values, lack of finances, lack of information and marital status impacted negatively on rural women's participation. the conclusion drawn from this study shows that a lot more needs to be done in sensitizing rural women on the importance of participating in community development projects. | en_US |
