The Constitution of Kenya 2010 offers young women key entry points for engagement in political processes through elective and appointive positions in national and county governments. However, their participation appears to be minimal, which in turn creates a gap in ensuring gender equality. Across the globe, socio-economic factors have been reported to influence participation of women in political processes. This study aimed at investigating the effects of socio-economic factors on participation of young women in political processes in Nyamira South Sub County. The study adopted modernization theory and mixed methods research design, with both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods utilized. The target population was 76,392 registered voters drawn from the Sub County. However, a total of 157 study participants were sampled to take part in the study. Data obtained in the study was analyzed using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Descriptive and inferential statistics was employed in analysis of quantitative data while content analysis and theme were used to analyze qualitative data. Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis was conducted to ascertain the statistical influence of financial resources on young women to their political participation. Socio-economic factors which include; age, gender, marital status, employment status, household head and size influences an individual’s participation in political processes in the Sub County. A significant positive correlation coefficient (r=.938; p<0.05) existed between financial resources and young women’s political participation. This implies that financial resources ultimately influence young women’s decision to participate in political processes. The study therefore recommends that more funding opportunities and specific policies on young women‘s participation in political processes should be implemented. This will promote gender equality by encouraging more women to participate in political processes.
Published in | Advances in Sciences and Humanities (Volume 7, Issue 4) |
DOI | 10.11648/j.ash.20210704.11 |
Page(s) | 102-111 |
Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Young Women, Financial Resources, Political Processes, Gender Equality, Gender Equity
[1] | Mlambo, C. & Kapingura, F. (2019). Factors influencing women political participation: The case of the SADC region. Cogent Social Sciences, 5 (1), 1681048. |
[2] | Duong, C. (2012). Modernization theory and women’s political representation: A case study of Vietnam. |
[3] | Quintelier, E., & Hooghe, M. (2013). The impact of socio-economic status on political participation. In Democracy in transition (pp. 273-289). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. |
[4] | Briggs, J. E. (2008). Young women and politics: an oxymoron?. Journal of Youth Studies, 11 (6), 579-592. |
[5] | Gichuki, D. (2014). Leadership in Africa and the Role of Youth in the Leadership Milieu. South Africa, Mandela Institute of Development. |
[6] | Hora, E. A. (2014). Factors That Affect Women, s Partcipation in Leadership and Decision Making. Journal of Humanity Art and Literature, 1-2. |
[7] | World Development Report (2012): Gender Equality and Development. Washington D.C; World Bank. |
[8] | Choundhary, R. (2018). Issues and challenges of women partcipation in politics. National Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, 344-346. |
[9] | Kailiti, H. B. (2018). Contending with Gender Stereotypes Strategically: A Grounded Theory of Women Leadership in Higher Education in Kenya. Louisiana, Southeastern Louisiana University. |
[10] | Kamau, S. C. (2016). Democratic engagement in the digital age: youth, social media and participatory politics in Kenya. Communicatio, 43 (2), 128-146. |
[11] | Mwatha, R. Mbugua, G., & Murunga, G. (2013). Young women's political participation in Kenya: a study on the experiences and challenges of young women in political engagement; technical report. Nairobi: Women’s Empowerment Link. |
[12] | Maeri J. N. (2014). Women participation in Elective Parliamentary Politics in Nyamira County (1992-2013). University of Nairobi. |
[13] | Djupe, P. A., McClurg, S. D., & Sokhey, A. E. (2017). Exposure to discussion and disagreement does not discourage women from political participation any more than men. USA, American Politics and Policy Blog. |
[14] | The Independent Electoral and Boundaries (2017) Data Report of 2017 Elections. Nairobi Government Press. Retrieved from https//www.iebc.or.ke/uploads/resources. |
[15] | Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, California: sage. |
[16] | Kabwato, L. K. (2013). Young Women in Political Partcipation in Malawi. Malawi: Governance and Development Institute |
[17] | Milligan, L. (2014). ‘They are not serious like the boys’: gender norms and contradictions for girls in rural Kenya. Gender and Education, 26 (5), 465-476. |
[18] | Uldam, J., & Vestergaard, A. (2015). Introduction: Social media and civic engagement. Civic Engagement and Social Media, 1-20. |
[19] | Melo, D. F., & Stockemer, D. (2014). Age and political participation in Germany, France and the UK: A comparative analysis. Comparative european politics, 12 (1), 33-53. |
[20] | Inter Parliamentary Union. (2016). the road to Parliament. Less travelled by women. Retrieved from http://www.ipu.org on date 25/7/2019 at 1925hrs. |
[21] | United Nations Development Programme (2O12). Enhancing youth participation throughout the electoral cycle: A Good Practice Guide. UNDP. New York. |
[22] | Briggs, J. (2016). Youth political participation at local level. Young People and Political Participation, 159-201. |
[23] | Fathi, S., & Dastoori, A. (2014). Investigating the impact of women's social base on their political participation: A case study on women in Tehran district 2 (Shahrara). Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Research, 2 (01), 12-17. |
[24] | Kabeer, N. (2015). Gender, poverty, and inequality: a brief history of feminist contributions in the field of international development. Gender & Development, 23 (2), 189-205. |
[25] | Anika, J. D. (2018). Womens Public and Private Spaces: The Case of Marriage & Politics In Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi). |
[26] | Biegon, J. (2016). Gender and Political Processes in Kenya. Nairobi: Strathmore University. |
[27] | Lorenzini, J., & Giugni, M. (2012). Employment status, social capital, and political participation: A comparison of unemployed and employed youth in Geneva. Swiss Political Science Review, 18 (3), 332-351. |
[28] | Robert, P., Oross, D., & Szabo, A. (2017). Youth, Precarious Employment and Political Participation in Hungary. Intersections, 3 (1). |
[29] | Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (2020) Kenya Popuilation and A Housing Census. Volume 1: Population by County and Sub County, KNBS, Nairobi. https://www.knbs.or.ke. |
[30] | Schmidt, B (2016) "Does Large Family Size Predict Political Centrism?," Sigma: Journal of Political and International Studies: Vol. 33. |
[31] | Youth Agenda. (2013). Young Women in Politics. Nairobi, The Youth Agenda. |
[32] | Henn, M., & Foard, N. (2014). Social differentiation in young people's political participation: the impact of social and educational factors on youth political engagement in Britain. Journal of Youth Studies, 17 (3), 360-380. |
[33] | Krook, M. L. (2017). Violence against women in politics. Journal of Democracy, 28 (1) 74-88. Lawless, J. L., & Fox, R. L. (2010). It still takes a candidate: Why women don’t run for office. Cambridge University Press. |
[34] | Oyesomi, K., Salawu, A., & Olorunyomi, B. (2017). Indigenous communication: socio-economic characteristics influencing contemporary female political participation. Journal of International Women's Studies, 18 (4), 164-181. |
[35] | World Economic Forum (2012) Global Gender Report: The Global Gender Index, World Economic Forum, Geneva. www.weforum.org. |
[36] | Sayedeh, N., Hasnita, K., & Hossein, A, (2010). The Financial Obstacle of Women’s Participation in Politics. Malaysia, University Putra Malaysia Institutional Repository. |
APA Style
Onyancha Rachael Moraa, Chesikaw Lillian, Obonyo Josephine. (2021). Socio-economic Factors Affecting Participation of Young Women in Political Processes: Case Study of Nyamira South Sub County, Kenya. Advances in Sciences and Humanities, 7(4), 102-111. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ash.20210704.11
ACS Style
Onyancha Rachael Moraa; Chesikaw Lillian; Obonyo Josephine. Socio-economic Factors Affecting Participation of Young Women in Political Processes: Case Study of Nyamira South Sub County, Kenya. Adv. Sci. Humanit. 2021, 7(4), 102-111. doi: 10.11648/j.ash.20210704.11
AMA Style
Onyancha Rachael Moraa, Chesikaw Lillian, Obonyo Josephine. Socio-economic Factors Affecting Participation of Young Women in Political Processes: Case Study of Nyamira South Sub County, Kenya. Adv Sci Humanit. 2021;7(4):102-111. doi: 10.11648/j.ash.20210704.11
@article{10.11648/j.ash.20210704.11, author = {Onyancha Rachael Moraa and Chesikaw Lillian and Obonyo Josephine}, title = {Socio-economic Factors Affecting Participation of Young Women in Political Processes: Case Study of Nyamira South Sub County, Kenya}, journal = {Advances in Sciences and Humanities}, volume = {7}, number = {4}, pages = {102-111}, doi = {10.11648/j.ash.20210704.11}, url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ash.20210704.11}, eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ash.20210704.11}, abstract = {The Constitution of Kenya 2010 offers young women key entry points for engagement in political processes through elective and appointive positions in national and county governments. However, their participation appears to be minimal, which in turn creates a gap in ensuring gender equality. Across the globe, socio-economic factors have been reported to influence participation of women in political processes. This study aimed at investigating the effects of socio-economic factors on participation of young women in political processes in Nyamira South Sub County. The study adopted modernization theory and mixed methods research design, with both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods utilized. The target population was 76,392 registered voters drawn from the Sub County. However, a total of 157 study participants were sampled to take part in the study. Data obtained in the study was analyzed using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Descriptive and inferential statistics was employed in analysis of quantitative data while content analysis and theme were used to analyze qualitative data. Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis was conducted to ascertain the statistical influence of financial resources on young women to their political participation. Socio-economic factors which include; age, gender, marital status, employment status, household head and size influences an individual’s participation in political processes in the Sub County. A significant positive correlation coefficient (r=.938; p<0.05) existed between financial resources and young women’s political participation. This implies that financial resources ultimately influence young women’s decision to participate in political processes. The study therefore recommends that more funding opportunities and specific policies on young women‘s participation in political processes should be implemented. This will promote gender equality by encouraging more women to participate in political processes.}, year = {2021} }
TY - JOUR T1 - Socio-economic Factors Affecting Participation of Young Women in Political Processes: Case Study of Nyamira South Sub County, Kenya AU - Onyancha Rachael Moraa AU - Chesikaw Lillian AU - Obonyo Josephine Y1 - 2021/10/12 PY - 2021 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ash.20210704.11 DO - 10.11648/j.ash.20210704.11 T2 - Advances in Sciences and Humanities JF - Advances in Sciences and Humanities JO - Advances in Sciences and Humanities SP - 102 EP - 111 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2472-0984 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ash.20210704.11 AB - The Constitution of Kenya 2010 offers young women key entry points for engagement in political processes through elective and appointive positions in national and county governments. However, their participation appears to be minimal, which in turn creates a gap in ensuring gender equality. Across the globe, socio-economic factors have been reported to influence participation of women in political processes. This study aimed at investigating the effects of socio-economic factors on participation of young women in political processes in Nyamira South Sub County. The study adopted modernization theory and mixed methods research design, with both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods utilized. The target population was 76,392 registered voters drawn from the Sub County. However, a total of 157 study participants were sampled to take part in the study. Data obtained in the study was analyzed using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Descriptive and inferential statistics was employed in analysis of quantitative data while content analysis and theme were used to analyze qualitative data. Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis was conducted to ascertain the statistical influence of financial resources on young women to their political participation. Socio-economic factors which include; age, gender, marital status, employment status, household head and size influences an individual’s participation in political processes in the Sub County. A significant positive correlation coefficient (r=.938; p<0.05) existed between financial resources and young women’s political participation. This implies that financial resources ultimately influence young women’s decision to participate in political processes. The study therefore recommends that more funding opportunities and specific policies on young women‘s participation in political processes should be implemented. This will promote gender equality by encouraging more women to participate in political processes. VL - 7 IS - 4 ER -