Women Participation in Policy Decision Making In Turkana County, Kenya: Prospects and Challenges
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Date
2019
Authors
Samson, Logiel Lokwawi
Muna, Wilson
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Arts and Commerce
Abstract
The decision to educate girls from arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) has not been broadly supported by
policy communities nationally and local governments. In effect, this phenomenon has produced
women who find themselves in a disadvantaged position in regard to policy design and decision
making. This article explores the extent to which women participation, or lack thereof, determines
their influence in policy decision-making. It draws from feminist theory that advocates for gender
inclusion, and women involvement in decision making. The administered a semi-structured
questionnaire to 85 women employed by Turkana County and interviewed 10 other women
mainstream ministries working at county level. Quantitative data collected was analyzed using
descriptive statistics while qualitative data was analyzed through content analysis. Results of the study
showed that the prospects of women participation in policy decision making were; increasing number
of women in managerial position/levels; economic empowerment of women; and increasing enrolment
of women/girls into educational institutions or facilities. Major challenges found were: alienation
within the political, economic, and cultural space. The study recommends Turkana County
government should design a policy framework that guarrantees: i) increased enrollment of women and
girls in formal education institutions to enhance their knowledge and skills in leadership and
governance; ii) increased number of women in managerial levels/positions; iii) support for the
establishment of women micro-finance institutions; and iv) provision of financial and training support
forwomen to boost their economic status.
Description
Article
Keywords
Women, Policy, Decision-Making, Policy Design, Prospects, Challenges
Citation
Samson, L.L. & Muna, W. (2019). Women Participation in Policy Decision Making in Turkana County, Kenya: Prospects and Challenges. International Journal of Arts and Commerce, 8(8), 61-78.