Challenges to Women’s Participation in Elective Political Leadership; Evidence from Meru County, Kenya
Main Article Content
Keywords
Women participation, elective political leadership, social economic challenges, political challenges, social political development
Abstract
Women participation in elective political leadership is gaining traction with many nations seeing women holding political leadership positions in high offices. However, in most African societies, women participation in elective political leadership is still worryingly low. Therefore, this study investigates the challenges faced by women seeking elective political leadership in Meru County, Kenya. The research used a descriptive design, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. The study collected data from 341 registered voters and 16 key informants, using structured questionnaires for quantitative and interviews for qualitative data. The study utilized SPSS version 24 for quantitative data analysis to examine challenges related to electoral participation and their impact on women's political leadership, using frequencies and means and regression analysis respectively. Thematic codes were extracted using NVIVO 14 software to identify recurring themes. The study established that sociocultural, political intimidation and economic challenges are most prevalent and significantly affected women's elective leadership aspirations in Meru County. Social cultural challenges had a negative influence on women participation in elective leadership in Meru County (β=-0.405, p<0.001). Similarly, political interference had a negative and significant influence on women participation in elective leadership (β=-0.319, p<0.001). However, the influence of economic challenges though negative, had no significant effect on women elective leadership participation (β=-0.031, p>0.05). The study reveals that while women in Meru can significantly contribute to the county's development through elective leadership, they face socially constructed challenges, emphasizing the need for political stakeholders to address these issues for full women's inclusion in decision-making.
References
Adamu, R. O. (2023). Women participation in nigerian politics: Challenges and prospects to Nigerian democracy. International Journal of Humanity Studies (IJHS), 6(2), 301-314.
Agrawal, A., Fischer, M., & Singh, V. (2022). Digital twin: From concept to practice. Journal of Management in Engineering, 38(3), 06022001.
Babbie, E., & Edgerton, J. D. (2023). Fundamentals of social research: Cengage Canada.
Baskaran, T., & Hessami, Z. (2018). Does the election of a female leader clear the way for more women in politics? American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 10(3), 95-121.
Bauer, N. M. (2020). Shifting standards: How voters evaluate the qualifications of female and male candidates. The Journal of Politics, 82(1), 1-12.
Beaman, L. G. (2012). The status of women: The report from a civilized Society1. Canadian Criminal Law Review, 16(2), 223.
Bosibori, C. N. (2023). A History of Women Anti-state Fighters in Kenya; 1945-2019.
Burek, C. V. (2014). The contribution of women to Welsh geological research and education up to 1920. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 125(4), 480-492.
Carpentier, C. L., & Braun, H. (2020). Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development: A powerful global framework. Journal of the International Council for Small Business, 1(1), 14-23.
Fraile, M., & Gomez, R. (2017). Bridging the enduring gender gap in political interest in Europe: The relevance of promoting gender equality. European journal of political research, 56(3), 601-618.
Georgeac, O., & Rattan, A. (2019). Progress in women’s representation in top leadership weakens people’s disturbance with gender inequality in other domains. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 148(8), 1435.
Hornsby, J. (2021). Striking a Chord Through the Silencing of Women’s Voices. The Force of The Umbrella Academy: Essays on Voices and Violence in the Comics and Netflix Series, 147.
Hossain, A., Naser, K., Zaman, A., & Nuseibeh, R. (2009). Factors influencing women business development in the developing countries: Evidence from Bangladesh. International journal of organizational analysis, 17(3), 202-224.
Ilo, S. C., & Otu, I. (2020). Theology and development in Africa. The Routledge Handbook of African Theology (pp. 224-246): Routledge.
Jobst, L. J., Bader, M., & Moshagen, M. (2023). A tutorial on assessing statistical power and determining sample size for structural equation models. Psychological Methods, 28(1), 207.
Kabeer, N. (2020). Women’s empowerment and economic development: a feminist critique of storytelling practices in “randomista” economics. Feminist Economics, 26(2), 1-26.
Kamau, N. (2010). Women and political leadership in Kenya. Berlin: Heinrich BollStiftung. Retrieved January, 3, 2011.
Kenyatta, G. N. (2023). The political participation of women in Kenya. Journal of International Women's Studies, 25(2), 5.
Kezar, A. (2014). Women’s contributions to higher education leadership and the road ahead. Women and leadership in higher education, 117-134.
Kivoi, D. L. (2014). Factors impeding political participation and representation of women in Kenya. Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(6), 173-181.
Maina, P. (2020). Influence of participation in self-help groups on the socio-economic empowerment of women in Tigania west sub-county, Meru County, Kenya. Egerton University.
Marete, G. (2021, January 1). Tread carefully, Meru's first female MP advises Kawira Mwangaza. Nation. https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/meru/tread-carefully-meru-s-first-female-mp-advises-kawira-mwangaza-4072578
Muthoni, M. A., Ochieng, O. G., Mburugu, K. R., Samson, N., Taratisio, N., & Gacheri, R. (2016). Socio-demographic characteristics influencing uptake of screening for cervical cancer in women aged 18-49 years in Imenti north sub-county, Meru County, Kenya.
Nzomo, M. (1998). Kenya: The women’s movement and democratic change. Villanón, Leonard/Huxtable, Phillip (Hg.): The African state at a critical juncture. Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 167-185.
Nzomo, M. (2011). Impacts of women in political leadership in Kenya: struggles for participation in governance through affirmative action.
O’Flaherty, M. (2012). Freedom of expression: article 19 of the international covenant on civil and political rights and the human rights committee’s general comment no 34. Human Rights Law Review, 12(4), 627-654.
O’Neil, D. A., Hopkins, M. M., & Bilimoria, D. (2015). A framework for developing women leaders: Applications to executive coaching. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 51(2), 253-276.
Orwako A., B., Atim A., B., & Opoku, P. M. (2018). Women in Politics in Kenya: an Analysis of Participation and Barriers. Géneros: Multidisciplinary Journal of Gender Studies, 7(1).
Owuor, E. (2016). Women and political inclusion in Kenya: A historical overview, 1963-2016. J. Biegon, Gender and Political Processes in Kenya, 7-38.
Payeng, R. (2020). Women Education and their Contribution in the Economic Activities in Mising Society of Assam: A Case Study In The Sonitpur District Of Assam. International Journal of Management (IJM), 11(11).
Pratiwi, A. M. (2019). The Policies, Practices, and Politics of Women Representation in Political Parties: A Case Study of Women Members of Parliament in Regency/City-level Legislative Council Period 2014-2019. Jurnal Perempuan, 24(2),
151-163.
Sachiel, A. L., & Komu, D. M. (2020). Effect of Political Barriers on Women Participation in Political Leadership in Kakamega County, Kenya. Gsj, 8(10).
Sardinha, L., Maheu-Giroux, M., Stöckl, H., Meyer, S. R., & García-Moreno, C. (2022). Global, regional, and national prevalence estimates of physical or sexual, or both, intimate partner violence against women in 2018. The Lancet, 399(10327), 803-813.
Saya, M. (2024, May 9). Long-held cultural beliefs locking Meru women out of leadership – report. STAR. https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2024-05-09-long-held-cultural-beliefs-locking-meru-women-out-of-leadership-report/
Sivi-Njonjo, K. (2016). The path towards inclusive democracy in Kenya. Gender and Political Processes in Kenya, 67-90.
Van Eerdewijk, A., Wong, F., Vaast, C., Newton, J., Tyszler, M., & Pennington, A. (2017). White paper: A conceptual model on women and girls' empowerment.
UN Women (2023). Women in Local Government. Data as of 1 January 2023, retrieved 22 July 2024.
Union, I. P. (2020). Women in parliament: 1995-2020–25 years in review.
Walker‐Smith, A. (2019). The Legacy, Leadership, and Hope of Pan‐African Women as a Missional Focus for
Theological Education. The Ecumenical Review, 71(4), 413-432.
Were, M. N. (2017). Kenyan women in androcentric political culture: from Julia Auma Ojiambo to Affirmative Action. Social Dynamics, 43(3), 487-504.
Women, U. (2021). UN Women Bangladesh. UN Women Asia and the Pacific. Available online at: https://asiapacific. unwomen. org/en/countries/bangladesh.
World Economic Forum (WEF) (2017). Global Gender Gap Report. Available at www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GGGR_2017.pdf
Agrawal, A., Fischer, M., & Singh, V. (2022). Digital twin: From concept to practice. Journal of Management in Engineering, 38(3), 06022001.
Babbie, E., & Edgerton, J. D. (2023). Fundamentals of social research: Cengage Canada.
Baskaran, T., & Hessami, Z. (2018). Does the election of a female leader clear the way for more women in politics? American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 10(3), 95-121.
Bauer, N. M. (2020). Shifting standards: How voters evaluate the qualifications of female and male candidates. The Journal of Politics, 82(1), 1-12.
Beaman, L. G. (2012). The status of women: The report from a civilized Society1. Canadian Criminal Law Review, 16(2), 223.
Bosibori, C. N. (2023). A History of Women Anti-state Fighters in Kenya; 1945-2019.
Burek, C. V. (2014). The contribution of women to Welsh geological research and education up to 1920. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 125(4), 480-492.
Carpentier, C. L., & Braun, H. (2020). Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development: A powerful global framework. Journal of the International Council for Small Business, 1(1), 14-23.
Fraile, M., & Gomez, R. (2017). Bridging the enduring gender gap in political interest in Europe: The relevance of promoting gender equality. European journal of political research, 56(3), 601-618.
Georgeac, O., & Rattan, A. (2019). Progress in women’s representation in top leadership weakens people’s disturbance with gender inequality in other domains. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 148(8), 1435.
Hornsby, J. (2021). Striking a Chord Through the Silencing of Women’s Voices. The Force of The Umbrella Academy: Essays on Voices and Violence in the Comics and Netflix Series, 147.
Hossain, A., Naser, K., Zaman, A., & Nuseibeh, R. (2009). Factors influencing women business development in the developing countries: Evidence from Bangladesh. International journal of organizational analysis, 17(3), 202-224.
Ilo, S. C., & Otu, I. (2020). Theology and development in Africa. The Routledge Handbook of African Theology (pp. 224-246): Routledge.
Jobst, L. J., Bader, M., & Moshagen, M. (2023). A tutorial on assessing statistical power and determining sample size for structural equation models. Psychological Methods, 28(1), 207.
Kabeer, N. (2020). Women’s empowerment and economic development: a feminist critique of storytelling practices in “randomista” economics. Feminist Economics, 26(2), 1-26.
Kamau, N. (2010). Women and political leadership in Kenya. Berlin: Heinrich BollStiftung. Retrieved January, 3, 2011.
Kenyatta, G. N. (2023). The political participation of women in Kenya. Journal of International Women's Studies, 25(2), 5.
Kezar, A. (2014). Women’s contributions to higher education leadership and the road ahead. Women and leadership in higher education, 117-134.
Kivoi, D. L. (2014). Factors impeding political participation and representation of women in Kenya. Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(6), 173-181.
Maina, P. (2020). Influence of participation in self-help groups on the socio-economic empowerment of women in Tigania west sub-county, Meru County, Kenya. Egerton University.
Marete, G. (2021, January 1). Tread carefully, Meru's first female MP advises Kawira Mwangaza. Nation. https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/meru/tread-carefully-meru-s-first-female-mp-advises-kawira-mwangaza-4072578
Muthoni, M. A., Ochieng, O. G., Mburugu, K. R., Samson, N., Taratisio, N., & Gacheri, R. (2016). Socio-demographic characteristics influencing uptake of screening for cervical cancer in women aged 18-49 years in Imenti north sub-county, Meru County, Kenya.
Nzomo, M. (1998). Kenya: The women’s movement and democratic change. Villanón, Leonard/Huxtable, Phillip (Hg.): The African state at a critical juncture. Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 167-185.
Nzomo, M. (2011). Impacts of women in political leadership in Kenya: struggles for participation in governance through affirmative action.
O’Flaherty, M. (2012). Freedom of expression: article 19 of the international covenant on civil and political rights and the human rights committee’s general comment no 34. Human Rights Law Review, 12(4), 627-654.
O’Neil, D. A., Hopkins, M. M., & Bilimoria, D. (2015). A framework for developing women leaders: Applications to executive coaching. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 51(2), 253-276.
Orwako A., B., Atim A., B., & Opoku, P. M. (2018). Women in Politics in Kenya: an Analysis of Participation and Barriers. Géneros: Multidisciplinary Journal of Gender Studies, 7(1).
Owuor, E. (2016). Women and political inclusion in Kenya: A historical overview, 1963-2016. J. Biegon, Gender and Political Processes in Kenya, 7-38.
Payeng, R. (2020). Women Education and their Contribution in the Economic Activities in Mising Society of Assam: A Case Study In The Sonitpur District Of Assam. International Journal of Management (IJM), 11(11).
Pratiwi, A. M. (2019). The Policies, Practices, and Politics of Women Representation in Political Parties: A Case Study of Women Members of Parliament in Regency/City-level Legislative Council Period 2014-2019. Jurnal Perempuan, 24(2),
151-163.
Sachiel, A. L., & Komu, D. M. (2020). Effect of Political Barriers on Women Participation in Political Leadership in Kakamega County, Kenya. Gsj, 8(10).
Sardinha, L., Maheu-Giroux, M., Stöckl, H., Meyer, S. R., & García-Moreno, C. (2022). Global, regional, and national prevalence estimates of physical or sexual, or both, intimate partner violence against women in 2018. The Lancet, 399(10327), 803-813.
Saya, M. (2024, May 9). Long-held cultural beliefs locking Meru women out of leadership – report. STAR. https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2024-05-09-long-held-cultural-beliefs-locking-meru-women-out-of-leadership-report/
Sivi-Njonjo, K. (2016). The path towards inclusive democracy in Kenya. Gender and Political Processes in Kenya, 67-90.
Van Eerdewijk, A., Wong, F., Vaast, C., Newton, J., Tyszler, M., & Pennington, A. (2017). White paper: A conceptual model on women and girls' empowerment.
UN Women (2023). Women in Local Government. Data as of 1 January 2023, retrieved 22 July 2024.
Union, I. P. (2020). Women in parliament: 1995-2020–25 years in review.
Walker‐Smith, A. (2019). The Legacy, Leadership, and Hope of Pan‐African Women as a Missional Focus for
Theological Education. The Ecumenical Review, 71(4), 413-432.
Were, M. N. (2017). Kenyan women in androcentric political culture: from Julia Auma Ojiambo to Affirmative Action. Social Dynamics, 43(3), 487-504.
Women, U. (2021). UN Women Bangladesh. UN Women Asia and the Pacific. Available online at: https://asiapacific. unwomen. org/en/countries/bangladesh.
World Economic Forum (WEF) (2017). Global Gender Gap Report. Available at www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GGGR_2017.pdf
Article Sidebar
Published
Sep 8, 2024
Article Details
How to Cite
Mwirigi , P. M., Kanake , M. K., Kiboro , C. N., & Mucece , C. K. (2024). Challenges to Women’s Participation in Elective Political Leadership; Evidence from Meru County, Kenya. Journal of Frontiers in Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(3), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.69897/jofhscs.v2i3.139
Issue
Section
Original Articles
Author Biographies
Paul Muriungi Mwirigi , Department of Social sciences, Chuka University, P.O. Box 109 – 60400 Chuka, Kenya
Department of Social sciences, Chuka University, Kenya
Mercy Kananu Kanake , Department of Management Science and Entrepreneurship, Moi University, P. O. Box 3900 - 30100, Kesses, Eldoret, Kenya
Department of Management Science and Entrepreneurship, Moi University, Kenya
Christopher Nkonge Kiboro , Department of Social Sciences, Chuka University, P.O. Box 109 – 60400 Chuka, Kenya
Department of Social Sciences, Chuka University, Kenya
Caroline Kithinji Mucece , Department of Social Sciences, Chuka University, P.O. Box 109 – 60400 Chuka, Kenya
Department of Social Sciences, Chuka University, Kenya