Female Participation in Engineering Courses in Technical, Industrial, Vocational Education and Training

Abstract

Economists widely agree that there is a high positive relationship between education and development. When women receive education, this development becomes apparent because of the number of future generation individuals who may come through their hands. Despite the overall progress made over the last decade in enhancing access, equity, retention, quality, completion rates and gender parity in education and training in Kenya, Technical, Industrial, Vocational Education and Training (TIVET) sub-sector continues to experience low female enrolment in engineering. In Kenya, like in many parts of the world, it has been established that factors contributing low participation of females in TIVET institutions include social –cultural factors and inherent traditional negative perceptions towards science and engineering related subjects. This paper analyzes the challenges that hinder female participation in TIVET institutions in Kenya. The paper also looks at various strategies that can be implemented to enhance female participation in TIVET institutions in Kenya