Date of Conferral
4-30-2024
Date of Award
April 2024
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Public Policy and Administration
Advisor
Lynn Wilson
Abstract
Women contribute immensely to the dairy production workforce in Kenya, yet they lack access and control over production services and resources. They are also underrepresented in the decision-making processes of dairy cooperatives. Constraining women from reaching their maximum potential diminishes their ability to influence and participate in societal change. Although researchers have investigated this issue, few studies have focused on this topic. The purpose of this general qualitative study was to describe barriers that prevent women from participating in decision-making processes in Kenya’s dairy cooperatives. The research question was focused on factors that inhibit women’s participation in decision-making processes in dairy cooperatives in Kenya. The theoretical framework for this study was Golla’s women’s economic empowerment theory. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 dairy cooperative leaders who were purposively selected from ten cooperatives. Data were analyzed qualitatively using inductive thematic analysis. Findings indicated economic, personal agency, policy and legal, sociocultural, and systemic barriers that hinder women’s participation in decision making processes. This study promotes new knowledge that stimulates conversations for policymakers and key stakeholders regarding mechanisms to establish gender-just leadership systems, that contribute to positive social change through the implementation of policies that support empowerment of women in the dairy sector and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 on gender equality, as adopted by United Nations member states in 2015.
Recommended Citation
Mukeku, Caroline Minoo, "Women’s Participation in Kenya Dairy Cooperative Decision-Making Processes" (2024). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 15723.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/15723
