Abstract:
Despite several studies on influence of cultural factors on participation of women in development projects, there still exist unequal representation of men and women in development sectors and this poses a gap. The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of selected cultural factors on participation of women in Community Development Projects’ management in Soy Sub-County, Kenya. The study specifically established the influence of early marriage on women participation in Community Development Projects’ management; investigate the influence of cultural ownership of properties on participation of women in Community Development Projects’ management and to examine the influence of traditional gender roles on participation of women in Community Development Projects’ management in Soy Sub-County, Kenya. The study adopted mixed method research design and the target population of the study was 421 persons. The study employed a cluster random sampling technique and Yamane’s formula that yielded sample size of 203 registered members and 2 Key Informants. Data was collected by use of questionnaires, interviews and focused group discussion. Quantitative data was analyzed by both descriptive and inferential statistics and presented by use of graphs and tables. Qualitative data was analyzed by use of themes and sub themes followed by quotations for presentation. The study findings suggested that a majority (81.3%) of the residents of Soy sub-County believed that women had low level of education in the study area due to early marriages. In addition, majority (81.3%) of the respondents believed that culturally women are not allowed to own family household properties among the Kalenjin people. Further, majority (81.9%) of the residents of Soy Sub-County believed that culturally women had a role to carry out house duties among the Kalenjin community. It was concluded that there exist a statistically significant relationship between early marriage, ownership of property & gender roles and participation of women in Community Development Projects’ management in Soy Sub-County. It was therefore recommended that for sustainability of the Community based development projects, there is need to reduce on gender roles that hinder women’s participation in the management of these projects. Further, there is need for communities to discourage early marriages as it influences negatively women’s education which in turn has an effect on their participation in the management of development projects’ within the community. The information that provided by this research would be of benefit to policymakers, community members, academicians for further research.
