Factors Affecting Women Access To Formal Employment Among The Maasai In Kajiado Central Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

ABSTRACT This purpose of the research project was to investigate the factors that affect women access to formal employment among the Maasai in Kajiado Central Sub-county. The purpose of the study was to determine factors affecting women access to formal employment among the Maasai community in Kajiado central sub-county. This study was guided by the following specific three objectives; (i) To find out effects of cultural factors on access to formal employment among the Maasai women in Kajiado central sub-county, (ii) To assess effects of socio-economic factors on access to formal employment among the Maasai women in Kajiado central sub-county, (iii) To evaluate the extent to which skills and knowledge effects access of Maasai women to formal employment in Kajiado central sub-county. Relevant literature on factors affecting women’s access to formal employment was revealed to expose the existing gaps and to offer an insight into the need for the current study. This study sought to investigate the relationship between women’s access to formal employment (dependent variables) and the following set of independent variables: cultural factors, socio-economic factors and lack of skill and knowledge. The study was conducted in Kajiado Central Sub-county. In this study descriptive research design which is appropriate for behavioural concept was used. For the purpose of this study 10% of the target population was used. Data was collected using questionnaires which were validated through preliminary pilot testing. The pilot testing method was used to determine the reliability. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive analysis with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), and information obtained shall be presented in form of frequency tables, pie charts and bar graphs. Frequencies, percentages and chats were used to present the findings. Data was analysed in two sections, the first section is limited to the demographic characteristics of the respondents whereby the demographic characteristics analyzed included sex, age, marital status, educational level and unemployment period of the respondents. The second section involves the analysis and interpretation of findings as per the objectives, which are: the cultural factors that affect women access to formal employment; socio-economic factors that hinder women access to formal employment; the effect the level of education, skills and knowledge on access to formal employment among the Maasai women in Kajiado Central sub-county. The study summarizes the findings of the study, draws conclusions and offers some recommendations.