MST-Department of Sociology

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Browsing MST-Department of Sociology by Subject "Assessment"

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    Assessment of Older Persons’ Participation in Community Development Activities in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2022) Kawira, Mutegi Josphine; Lucy W. Maina; Samuel Mwangi
    The accelerated population ageing has become a development concern in the 21stcentury with nations least prepared to deal with the consequences of population ageing. To address these consequences, older persons should be encouraged to become active participants on issues impacting their lives. However, older persons have not been able to fully participate in development process with reports showing low levels of participation in social, economic, political and cultural activities. This study sought to assess involvement of older persons to community development. Specifically, the study sought to assess extent of older person’s participation in community development activities in Tharaka Nithi County, identify factors that hinder participation of older persons in development, assess the effects of non-participation of older persons in development and suggest measures to enhance older person’s participation in community development. The study was anchored in the political economy of ageing theory which demonstrates the differences in how older persons act which is influenced by social, economic and political structures that shape ageing. The study employed descriptive survey design by combining both qualitative and quantitative methods. A simple random sampling method was used to select a sample of 157 older persons from the target population of 7,730 older persons from Tharaka Nithi County. Additionally, 3 social development officers, 3 administrative officers and 1 faith-based leader were purposively selected on the basis of their knowledge, expertise and experience of working with older persons for in-depth interviews. Data was collected using questionnaire, interview schedule and through personal observations. Data was analyzed using frequency count and percentages and presented in form of tables and graphs. The researcher sought approvals from graduate school, ethics review committee, NACOSTI and relevant county government bodies in addition, participants were informed the purpose of the study and their consent sought before questions were administered. The researcher assured them of confidentiality before, during and after the study. The study established older persons participated in community development through paid labour, engaging in leisure and cultural activities, providing informal child care, participation in elections through voting and being active members of Nyumba kumi initiatives. Participation in social and cultural activities was moderate and relatively low in economic and political domains. The study further established a combination of individual, social, economic and political factors influencing participation of older persons in community development activities. The study concluded that low participation of older persons in community development activities exposed them to poverty, inability to access resources, inadequate representation in decision-making and poor public services and isolation as well as poor physical and mental health. The study concluded that these effects of low participation exposed them to become socially excluded in community development activities leaving them more vulnerable and marginalized by the rest of the community. The study recommends government, other stakeholders to encourage and support older persons to access equal opportunities to participate in community development activities as well as play an active role in providing solutions to their challenges. The study findings will be useful in informing work/labour force policies, strategies and programs by local and national governments as well as development partners in addressing older person’s rights.
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    Assessment of the Contribution of International Non- Governmental Organisations Development Programmes to Women Socio-Economic Empowerment in Makueni County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2021) Elizabeth M., Kithuka; Pacificah Okemwa; Leah Wanjama
    This study was based on the contribution of INGOs development programmes to women socio-economic empowerment in Makueni and Mbooni sub counties, Makueni County in Kenya. Specifically, the study aimed to establish types of INGOs development programs towards women socio-economic empowerment, effects of development programmes, the challenges faced and strategies to apply during the implementation of the INGOs development programmes. The study was guided by the Theory of Change, and Sarah Longwe’s Framework. Further, the study employed mixed Approach (qualitative and quantitative method) and descriptive research design in data collection. The targeted population was women in Self Help Groups (SHGs) of World Vision and Action Aid programmes. The sample size included 114 women recipients from different SHGs, 8 men (spouses) in SHGs,10 project staff officials from the two INGOs, 24 SHG leaders and 6 key informants from Makueni County Government, making a total of 162 respondents. The sampling techniques included multistage, purposive, and Random sampling. Data collection tools included questionnaires, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guides and interview schedules and secondary data from INGOs records. Qualitative data was analysed using themes and quantitative using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 21) software. Descriptive statistics such as graphs, frequency distributions, tables, and charts were utilized to summarize the findings. The study findings established that the level of contribution of INGOs development programs influenced women socio economic empowerment. This depended on the type of programs and challenges faced by INGOs development programs. In addition, age influenced women rights awareness while education impacted on access to resources. Data revealed that the type of program given to the women groups influenced their socio-economic empowerment. This was evidenced by the effects of programs such as the provision of water and sanitation, women awareness of their rights and SGBV while there was limited access to and control over productive resources, limited training on entrepreneurship, limited involvement of women in development projects. Generally, beneficiaries felt that the INGOs development programmes were inadequate in empowering women and the programs seemed to be creating more dependency among women recipients hence high levels of poverty. Women socio economic empowerment was also influenced by challenges such as inadequate access to and control over the resources, limited entrepreneurial skills and SGBV among women. The study identified main strategies to empower women as enhancing awareness on women rights to improve access and control over the resources, enhancing training on entrepreneurial skills and addressing SGBV. The study concludes that contribution of INGOs development programs influences women socio economic empowerment. The study recommends: INGOs to do thorough investigations on the specific development projects that fit WSHGs and avoid duplication of services. They should also aim at doing more capacity building on entrepreneurship skills and awareness creation on women rights to improve access to and control over resources and reduce SGBV. The INGOs should involve men through influencing community systems that target improvement to access and control of resources by women. It is hoped that the findings will help policy makers, INGOs, Central and County Government officials to implement the right projects that meet the needs of women.