International Journal of Modern Science and Technology

INDEXED IN 

International Journal of Modern Science and Technology, 1(6), 2016, Pages 193-198. 

Assessment of Women’s Mobility in Public Space on Their Decision-Making Roles in the Community among the Njemps in Baringo County – Kenya

Gladys Kabutiei1, Harriet Kidombo1, N. B. Okelo2
1 School of Continuing and Distance Education, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
2 School of Mathematics and Actuarial Science, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology,
P. O. Box 210-40601, Bondo-Kenya.

Abstract
Empowering women is an indispensable tool for advancing development and reducing poverty. There is no doubt that empowered women contribute to the health and productivity of whole families, communities and the nation. A critical aspect of gender equality is the equal participation of women and men in decision-making about societal priorities and development directions. Despite recent developments with respect to gender issues acknowledging that empowerment of women will improve their status generally and enable them to actively and effectively participate in key decision making processes at all levels of human development, women are frequently neglected in economic, trade and development policies and planning because of socio-historical patterns in regard to gender-based inequalities and division of household roles. This is in spite of numerous national and international efforts to empower them economically, socio-culturally, legally, politically and psychologically. Notwithstanding women’s contribution to the fabric of the household, women are commonly underestimated and ignored in community development strategies and key decision making processes. A lack of available gender-disaggregated data on community decision-making roles means that women's roles and contribution to decision making at the community level, in particular among the Njemps community is poorly understood. This study, therefore, sought to bridge this gap by examining the influence of women’s mobility in public space on their decision making roles among the Njemps in Baringo County – Kenya.

​​Keywords: ​Mobility; Public space; Decision-making roles; Women; Njemps; Community. 

​References

1. Best JW,   Khan P. Research in Education. Edward Arnold Bolston, 1993.
   
2. Hashemi SM, Schuler SR, Riley AP. Rural credit programs and women's empowerment in Bangladesh. World Development. 24(4) (1996) 23-40.
   
3. Kothari CR. Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques.  New Delhi: New Age International (P) Ltd, Publishers, 2004.
   
4. Lokesh K. Methodology of Educational Research; New Delhi, Vikas Publishing House PVT Ltd, 1984.
   
5. Malhotra A, Pande R, Grown C. Impacts of Investments in Female Education on Gender Equality. International Center for Research on Women, 2003.
   
6. Malhotra A, Schuler SR, Boender C. Measuring women’s empowerment as a variable in international development, background paper prepared for the World Bank, 2002.
   
7. Mayoux L. Microfinance and the empowerment of women: A review of the key issues. Social Finance Unit Working Paper, 23, ILO, Geneva, 2000.
   
8. Mugenda A, Mugenda B. Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches. Nairobi: Act Press, 2014.
   
9. Momsen JH. Gender and Development. London & New York Routledge, 2013.
   
10. Mugenda A, Mugenda B. Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches. Nairobi: Act Press, 2015.
    
11. Nessa T, Ali J, Abdul-Hakim R. The Impact of Microcredit Program on Women Empowerment: Evidence from Bangladesh. International Journal of Sustainable Development. 3 (2012) 35-45
    
12. Orodho A. J. Elements of education and social Science Research Methods. Nairobi, Masola publishers, 2014.
    
13. Pitt M, Khandker SR, Cartwright SR. Empowering women with microfinance: Evidence from Bangladesh, Economic Development and Cultural Change. 54 (2006) 791- 831.

ISSN 2456-0235