Gender Disparity in Member Participation in Agricultural Cooperatives in Kenya

Abstract

Women in developing countries are essential to agricultural and rural economies but are notably underrepresented in agricultural cooperatives’ membership and leadership. This study analysed factors influencing women’s membership and participation in leadership roles within 18 cooperatives in Kenya's Kiambu, Kajiado, and Taita Taveta counties. Data from 510 women revealed that household type, marital status, education, number of children, the gender of the household’s principal income earner, agricultural value chain involvement, and land ownership significantly affect women’s cooperative membership. Although women formed the majority in cooperative membership and meetings, leadership roles were predominantly male-dominated. Economic factors were identified as the main barrier to women’s participation (47.2%), followed by personal, institutional, educational, socio-cultural, and geographic factors. These findings highlight the complex barriers hindering women’s active participation in cooperatives, suggesting a need for tailored interventions to address economic, social, and institutional challenges to support women’s empowerment and inclusivity in cooperative leadership