Effects Of Gender Mainstreaming On Crime In Changamwe Sub-County, Mombasa County

Abstract

ABSTRACT The crime rates within the major cities in Kenya have been on the upward trend. However, the government has not been successful in arresting this situation effectively since the root cause had not been identified. Recent studies have identified lack of gender mainstreaming as a major contributor towards the escalation of these crimes. The researcher therefore undertook this study in order to unearth the effects of gender mainstreaming in combating crime, with special interest in Mombasa County. Within this study, the researcher sought to investigate some specific objectives which included; the advantages of gender mainstreaming and its contribution in combating crime, the challenges that affect the process of implementing gender mainstreaming as a step towards combating crime, the causes of crime in Kenya with special interest to marginalized groups and the effectiveness of the methods used to enhance gender mainstreaming. The research design was both quantitative and qualitative in nature owing to the use of the questionnaire which was coded in order to facilitate easy entry into the computer system. Owing to the large number of residents of Changamwe Sub-County, the researcher sought a sample frame of 120 respondents. Out of these respondents, the researcher chose 92 of these respondents as the sample. Questionnaires were then issued out of which all the questionnaires were filled and fully returned. The data from these questionnaires was entered into the computer system and analyzed through computer software known as SPSS from which conclusions were drawn. From the findings, the respondents pointed out that gender mainstreaming bore numerous advantages and should be encouraged as a means of combating crime. The respondents were also of the view that gender mainstreaming was not an easy task to implement owing to cultural differences and customs that do not recognize the role of women in the society. The respondents also agreed with the causes of crime within the society which the root cause was inequality and marginalization of some groups within the society. This led to engagement in criminal activities. Finally, the respondents disagreed with the effectiveness of the methods used in implementing gender mainstreaming pointing out that they are too skewed to the extent that they do not favor both genders equally hence they are bound to cause further marginalization as opposed to bringing equality. It was therefore concluded that gender mainstreaming may not be achieved if the gains achieved so far are not guarded, efficient means are not instituted, problems treated from the cause and not from the effects. Finally, viable methods should be used to implement this noble task and not old methods which are ineffective.