Waswa, F.Mutheng, KimanziKutsch, Thomas2015-06-192015-06-1920049290591609http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/12986Book ChapterAs the world continues to grapple with the realities of sustainable development, it is becoming increasingly acceptable that meaningful progress cannot be made without active involvement of women and the youth at critical levels of decision-making. Research and experience from Ndome and Ghazi in Taita Taveta in Kenya showed that marginalisation of women and the youth is still particularly high in household labour distribution, ownership of essential assets and production decision-making, resulting in persistent land degradation and household poverty. Further, gender insensitivity in these areas was ~ot based on ignorance on the part of men but was deliberate and had its foundation in deep-rooted sociocultural beliefs that gave men unfair advantage over women. Institutionalising gender equity is thus a critical requirement in building agricultural and natural resource capacity in Africa. Although simultaneous use of education, incentives and the rule of law are required in this endeavour, rapid positive change in Africa requires a 'needs-driven' and not a 'rights-driven' approach, as is common in developed countriesenBook chapter