Factors Influencing Women's Participation in Parliamentary Elections in Gatundu South Constituency, Kiambu County (1992-2007)

Ndungu, Rosemary Njeri (2012) Factors Influencing Women's Participation in Parliamentary Elections in Gatundu South Constituency, Kiambu County (1992-2007). Masters thesis, Kenyatta University.

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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% of the 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 officer, a chief and two assistant chiefs also serve d as key informants. Primary data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires and interview guides. Secondary data were obtained through library research. Data analysis was done using the statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 17.0 and the findings presented in tables, graphs and figures. Findings from qualitative data are presented in a narrative report. The research found that there are numerous challenges that have hindered the political participation of women in Gatundu South Constituency. These include; lack of funds to finance political campaigns, being side-lined by political parties, out-dated 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 fair 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.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races J Political Science > JF Political institutions (General)
Divisions:	Africana
Depositing User:	Tim Khabala
Date Deposited:	15 Sep 2017 13:46
Last Modified:	15 Sep 2017 13:46
URI:	http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/2250

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