Factors influencing women's participation in Parliamentary elections in Gatundu South Constituency, Kiambu County
Loading...
Date
2013-11-07
Authors
Ndungu, Rosemary Njeri
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This study examined the factors that influence the political participation of women in
parliamentary elections in Gatundu South Constituency. The study was based on the
premise that there are socio-cultural and value related factors, which contribute to the
subordination and marginalization of women in politics. The study therefore,
attempted to identify and describe these factors, as well as suggest ways of
overcoming the challenges facing women in political participation in that
constituency. Liberal feminist theory and the concept of patriarchy guided the study.
The study targeted registered voters in two of the six wards in the constituency.
Polling stations in the selected wards served as the sampling units for the study.
Simple random sampling was used to select two polling stations from each of the
selected wards .Systematic sampling was employed to sample 30% ofthe registered
voters from the selected polling stations. Three women, who had sought nominations
in different political parties as parliamentary candidates, were purposively selected
and interviewed for the study. A divisional-efficerrapliiefand two assistant chiefs
also served as key informants. •. ~;~<,:/\:::):~';:';:-i'~ I""
Primary data were collected thro~) s&rrti-structured questionnaires and interview
guides. Secondary data were o~iair1ed thro gh library research- ' , \\ • r
Data analysis was done using tfue.Statistical Package for Social S'ciences (SPSS)
Version 17.0 and the findings p~\ts,e~){?d,'in ~ables,gr~phs,incl-figures. Findings form
qualitative data are presented in a It'~i:r'~~j'~f~~~Otrrheredeatch found that there are
numerous challenges that have hinderedthe-pelitieal participation of women in
Gatundu South Constituency. These include; lack of funds to finance political
campaigns, being sidelined by political parties, outdated cultural practices and
stereotypes that portray women as the weaker sex as well as political violence during
electoral campaigns. To address these challenges, the study recommends the
following measures: intensifying gender responsive civic education, restructuring
political parties to ensure free and fare elections in their nominations, training women
political aspirants in practical skills such as public speaking and planning political
campaigns, providing female aspirants with funds to finance their political campaigns
as well as eliminating gender- based violence during electoral campaign.
Description
Department of Gender and Development studies