Gender Disparities in Kenyan Agricultural Cooperatives

Abstract

Kenya's agricultural cooperatives have historically played a crucial role in the country's socio-economic landscape. However, persistent institutional, cultural, and socio-economic factors have hindered women's active involvement in these cooperatives. Challenges such as limited access to capital and land, deeply ingrained cultural norms prioritizing domestic responsibilities, difficulties in obtaining extension services, and inadequate transportation infrastructure have contributed to the gender disparity within agricultural cooperatives. The study focused on women's participation in coffee, horticulture, and dairy cooperatives, aiming to identify the variables influencing gender differences in membership, leadership positions, and cooperative activity involvement. By examining participation rates across various cooperative forms, the research sought to provide insights that could inform the development of programs and policies fostering greater gender inclusivity and empowerment within agricultural cooperatives. Employing a structured research methodology, the study concentrated on nine agricultural cooperatives involved in coffee, horticulture, and dairy industries. A combination of quantitative data from questionnaires and qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews provided a comprehensive understanding of women's roles in these cooperatives. The analysis utilized Chi square tests to assess relationships between cooperative types and gender, employing Stata Version 17. The findings revealed a notable gender gap in participation across all three types of agricultural cooperatives, particularly pronounced in coffee cooperatives. Men predominantly occupied various roles, including personnel, supervisory committees, delegates, and leadership positions. This gender imbalance persisted even in cooperatives specializing in horticulture and dairy products, where gender representation was relatively more balanced. Several factors, such as entrenched gender norms, transportation challenges, limited entrepreneurial experience, financial concerns, health issues, extensive domestic responsibilities, gender bias, restricted control over productive resources, and limited access to financial resources, were identified as barriers to women's active engagement in agricultural cooperatives. To address these complex issues and promote gender equity, tailored interventions are crucial. The study recommends strategies like financial assistance, educational programs, and community involvement to remove obstacles and enhance women's participation in agricultural cooperatives, fostering a more just and sustainable growth of value chains.