Feminization of poverty in Kenya: the case of Abagusii and Agikuyu women of Kenya
Abstract
This paper analyses factors behind the over representation of
women among the poor in
Kenya
.
Focusing on the Abagusii and Agikuyu women, the paper argues that
poverty has acquired a
feminine
face meaning that it is
more of women issue than men’s.
The paper notes that the social
distance between men and women is narrowing but a lot still needs to be done to reduce the poverty
gap.
There are several factors behind
the social distance
. These include socialization, power
asymmetries in the institution of marriage, Female Genital Mutilation, Gender Based Violence,
patriarchy, education opportunities, the growth of female
-
headed households and politics. The
writers argue that
poverty reduction programmes
need to focus on understanding the underlying
causes of poverty among wom
en in Kenya. Then
programmes can be initiated to
address the
structural factors behind it.
The paper therefore suggests appropriate interventions to address the
feminization of poverty. They
include
the need for
increased civic awareness and women
empowerment in order to spur socio
-
economic development.
Key Words:
Feminization of poverty
,
Abagusii
,
Agikuyu
,
Women
of Kenya
Citation
K ariuki , J . G. (2013). F eminization of poverty in K enya: T he case of A bagusii and A gikuyu women of K enya . International Journal of Social Sciences and Entrepreneurship, 1 (5), 3 72 - 3 8 3 .Publisher
University of Nairobi