CULTURAL FACTORS AS DRIVERS OF WOMEN LEADERSHIP IN ELECTIVE POSITIONS IN NYAMIRA COUNTY
Keywords:
Culture, Women Representation, Elective Positions
Abstract
Despite constitutional and institutional frameworks aimed at promoting gender equality in Kenya, women’s representation in elective political positions remains critically low, especially at the county level. The under representation of women in elective leadership is a global challenge to the realization of gender equality and inclusive governance. This study investigates the drivers of women’s leadership in elective positions in Nyamira County. The specific objective include the influence of cultural on women’s pursuit and attainment of elective offices. Anchored in Patriarchy and Feminist Theories, the study employed a descriptive survey design targeting 384 registered voters across the county’s four constituencies. The study used structured questionnaires and interview schedules to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for quantitative analysis, while qualitative responses were examined thematically. The findings reveal that entrenched patriarchal norms, traditional gender roles, cultural taboos and exclusionary political party structures continue to suppress women’s leadership ambitions. The study concluded that entrenched cultural resistance to female candidacy, financial inequities in campaign mobilization and political party biases significantly perpetuate systemic discrimination against women in leadership engagement. The report suggests that political parties, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), and the Kenyan Parliamentcounty governments, and gender advocacy organizations prioritize the implementation of gender-responsive policies and legal reforms. The study also recommends deliberate policy enforcement, targeted civic education, gender-sensitive electoral reforms and the institutionalization of quota systems.
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