Gender factors contributing to youths' participation in the Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF) In Taveta District
Loading...
Date
2013-11-12
Authors
Oomo, Kenneth Odiwuor
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This study examined the factors contributing to youth's participation in the Youth Enterprise
Development Fund (YEDF) activities in Taveta District. The study was premised on the
pedestal that there are gender, policy and socio-cultural factors that inhibit access to YEDF
credit by male and female youth. The study therefore attempted to identify and describe these
factors while suggesting ways of surmounting them. The study also amplified the views of
the youth for stakeholder attention to eradicate gender blindness in credit provision. The main
problem of this study was that despite the critical role YEDF has played in the improvement
of the lives of several young people in this country, the realization of the same among the
youth in Taveta District is not sublime. There exist socio-cultural, personal and
environmental factors leading to the uninspiring performance of the youth groups' access to
YEDF credit. The study was guided by the theories of self efficacy (TSE) and planned
behaviour (TPB). Seven youth groups were sampled from each of the three divisions of the
district. From the sampled youth groups, twelve respondents (six male and six female) were
selected yielding a total 126 respondents. Data were collected using structured
questionnaires, interview guides and observation. An observation check list was maintained
to investigate the location and type of involvements that the groups opted for. They were
analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Quantitative data were analysed
using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (Version 17.0) and findings presented in tables,
graphs and figures. On the other hand, qualitative data are presented in a narrative report. The
research found that there are numerous challenges that have hindered the participation of men
and women, considered separately, in YEDF activities. These include: the influence of
patriarchy, self-efficacy, policy frameworks and socialisation. The study concludes that apart
from policy issues, socio-cultural barriers affected the female youth more than the male
youth. It, therefore, recommends improving financial literacy, engendering adaptations
targeting youth diversities, engendering credit approaches and restating existing policies to be
gender responsive.
Description
Department of Gender and Development Studies