WOMEN’S EXPERIENCES ON FOOD SECURITY IN KENYA:Major Challenges That They Face

Abstract

This paper discusses the major challenges women in Kenya face as they try to ensure and maintain food security at the household level. The challenges include access to and ownership of resources such as land, finance, water and affordable cooking energy; access to markets and proper infrastructure and education. The paper demonstrates that women in Kenya lack land ownership deeds since land is owned by either their husbands or male relatives. Women also spend a lot of time walking long distances in search of water and wood fuel which prevents them from engaging in other income generating activities. Moreover, poor infrastructure also makes it difficult for women to access markets for their products or to buy food even when they may have the income. Poor storage facilities or lack of such facilities makes it difficult for women to store food during times of glut and enable them to militate against food insecurity during times of drought. Finally, the paper shows that poor education or the lack of it makes it hard for women to know the nutritional contents of various foods. Furthermore, this lack of education also makes it difficult for them to get employment and earn an income that is sufficient to maintain food security at the household level. This paper recommends that there should be sensitization of men and women to the requirements of the Constitution that women should be equal to men in their rights to inheritance. It is, therefore, imperative that County Governments, NGOs, civil societies and community-based organizations should hold civic education sessions for both men and women and educate them on the same. Women should also be involved in the planning and implementation of various projects that have an impact on their lives. Water, energy and road infrastructure projects should involve women in their identification, planning and implementation. Educating girls benefits the whole community and so just like sensitization on land ownership, parents should also be educated through civic education on the need to educate the girl child because this will translate to improved welfare both for her and the household as well in terms of improved nutrition and food security.