SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS AFFECTING WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

Abstract

This study investigated the socio-cultural factors affecting women’s participation in community development delving into how best to take advantage of such factors and how to minimize any associated negative impacts on women’s role in community. The study was based on a descriptive survey design. The sample size consisted of officials of women groups in Rongai Sub-County. Purposive and stratified random sampling procedures were used to select 95 respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Data was collected by the use of questionnaire. The findings were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of SPSS version 21. The study concludes that land rights, early marriage and polygamy had a negative effect on women’s participation in community development in Rongai Sub-County. The study established that there was a strong relationship between land rights, early marriage and polygamy and women’s participation in community development. It is therefore concluded that land ownership rights, early marriage and polygamy were some of the main socio-cultural factors which significantly influenced women’s participation in community development in Rongai Sub-County. The study recommends that the government should formulate policies that enhance the participation of women in community development. It is also recommends that early marriage should be abolished since women who get married early have diminished opportunity for participation in community development.