Factors Influencing Resource Access And Acquisition Among Women In Mbeere South Sub-County, Embu County - Kenya

Abstract

ABSTRACT Access to resources is the opportunity to make use of a resource for a larger gain and acquiring or gaining possession over the resource. Resources are an important factor in advancing peoples’ autonomy and rights. Assessment of access to and control of resources has been a fundamental tool of gender analysis over the past years and due to gendered division of labour, patriarchal cultural norms and laws and, women in all their diversity have been denied access to resources such as education, health services, credit, land and technologies . The purpose of the study was to determine factors influencing women access and acquisition of resources in Mbeere South Sub County, Embu County. The specific objectives of the study were to find out effect of cultural factors, social factors, influence of perception, attitude and judgment and examine legal requirements necessary for resource access and allocation of resources in Mbeere South Sub County, Embu County. The study adopted the Gender and Development theory from which the conceptual framework was developed. A descriptive research design was adopted for this study. The target population comprised of 650 women participating in women groups. A sample size of 65 women was selected for the study using simple random sampling method. An open ended questionnaire was then used as the data collection instrument for the study. The questionnaire was pilot tested to test for validity and reliability. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study established an association between social cultural factors, legal factors, education and perception and attitudes about women and women access and control of resources. Based on the findings the study concluded that Culture and education have the highest influence in women access and control of resources. The study also established a significant relationship between legal factors, perceptions and attitudes and access and acquisition of resources. The study concluded that women’s access and acquisition of resources is influenced by social cultural factors, education level, legal factors and perceptions and attitudes about women. Conclusions were drawn that the findings of the study support the theory of Gender and Development. It recommends that, legal institutions be strengthened to assist women in their quest for access and acquiring resources. Campaigns and education on the needs to empower women should be done to have a common knowledge on the benefits of the same. The government and the community at large will benefit since the benefits of this initiatives will trickle down to the overall economy.