Culture as a Determinant to Gender Differentials in Adoption of Alternative Livelihoods among Pastoralists in West Pokot County, Kenya
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Date
2023
Authors
Kondoltiony, Emmanuel P.
Okemwa, Pacificah
Wanjama, Leah
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
JAIS
Abstract
This study sought to investigate cultural determinants to gender differentials in adoption of
Alternative Livelihoods (ALs) among pastoralists in West Pokot County, Kenya. Gender
differentials have persisted in spite of concerted efforts to address them hence impeding
adoption of ALs, a process considered by scholars and development experts to be the best
pathway out of the community’s myriad developmental challenges. The study specifically
endeavoured to explain gender differentials in adoption of ALs, from a cultural perspective.
The study was guided by Structural Functionalism Theory, complemented by Capacities and
Vulnerabilities Analysis (CVA) framework. Both quantitative and qualitative research
approaches were applied. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design and the
target population included adult household members, elders and opinion leaders. Whereas
multi-stage cluster sampling technique was employed to sample study respondents for the
questionnaires, participants for Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group
Discussions (FGDs), were purposively selected. Data were collected using questionnaires,
KII schedule and FGD guide. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics
with the help of SPSS Version 23. The analyzed data were presented in Tables and Charts.
Content analysis was employed in analyzing qualitative data which were then presented in
narrative and verbatim forms. It was established that the gender differentials in adoption of
ALs among the pastoralists in West Pokot are determined by an array of cultural factors,
which impacted men and women unequally. These included beliefs, values, customs and
practices, most of which constrained adoption of ALs, more so by women. Thus, this study
concludes that the community’s cultural structure greatly impacts adoption of ALs through its
gender role plan, and the gendered access to and control over productive resources, thereby
causing gender differentials in adoption of ALs. It is, therefore, recommended that
development actors ought to consider initiatives that engage cultural aspects as this affects
adoption of Alternative Livelihoods.
Description
Article
Keywords
Adoption, Alternative livelihoods, Cultural determinants, Gender differentials, Pastoralists
Citation
Kondoltiony, P. E., Okemwa, P., & Wanjama, L. (2023). Culture As a Determinant to Gender Differentials in Adoption of Alternative Livelihoods Among Pastoralists in West Pokot County, Kenya. Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies, 7(3), 98-117.