Pathways to African Feminism and Development: Journal of the African Women Studies Centre

Preliminary Pages (Vol.8, Issue.1, 2023)

2024-04-02T10:08:38+00:00

Preliminary Pages (Vol.8, Issue.1, 2023)

Homeschooling Experiences of Kenyan Mothers of Children with Dyslexia during the Covid-19 Pandemic

2024-04-02T09:44:04+00:00

Previous studies have provided homeschooling experiences of parents, but little attention has been paid to African mothers’ homeschooling their children. Mothers of children with dyslexia spend more time nurturing, socializing, and in care work as compared to non-homeschooling mothers. This study uses a qualitative method from an African Feminist Epistemology lens to explore the lived experiences of homeschooling African mothers. A small case study sample is used to provide a rich, detailed understanding of the phenomena (Scribner and Crow, 2012). Out of ten mothers interviewed from a Nairobi-based social support group for children with dyslexia, two were fully homeschooled during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The study specifically focuses on the unique experiences of the two homeschooling mothers to provide an African homeschooling context and experience. A narratological method is used to compare and contrast the mothers’ exclusive experiences. Five main themes emerged from the study: strategies used by mothers; impact on careers; mental health; financial independence, and impact on social life. We conclude that mothers' homeschooling mainly resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. Mothers used wide-ranging creative strategies for successful homeschooling alongside household chores and care work for the family. Homeschooling, however, had a negative impact on mothers’ careers, mental health, financial independence, and social life. We conclude that the lived experiences of homeschooling Kenyan mothers of children with dyslexia may be considered an impression of what other homeschooling Kenyan mothers of children with learning disabilities face.

From One Pandemic to another through Women’s Eyes

2024-04-02T10:00:22+00:00

By the time the COVID-19 pandemic hit Kenya in March 2020, the country had made great strides in handling HIV. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has threatened the gains that the country has made in this fight. A major drawback that was caused in this regard is in the context of addressing the gender dimensions of HIV/AIDS. For close to 40 years, Kenya has been dealing with HIV/AIDS and has gained significant experience in addressing a pandemic. However, Kenya failed to draw on this experience in dealing with COVID-19. Consequently, Kenya’s failure to apply the useful experience gained in the context of HIV/AIDS in the containment of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in gendered impacts of the country’s COVID-19 responses. The responses that were put in place to contain COVID-19 were reactionary, gender-blind, and fluid, and resulted in creating greater vulnerability among women and girls. These gendered impacts of Kenya’s COVID-19 responses were particularly adverse to women and girls living with HIV/AIDS. This article is, therefore, concerned with the intersections between HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 in Kenya, and how they have impacted women and girls. Using a desk review of various studies that have addressed the gender dimensions of COVID-19 and HIV-AIDS, the article highlights the adverse impacts that the COVID-19 containment measures had on women and girls in Kenya. These adverse gendered impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic could have been avoided if Kenya had been more prepared and the lessons learned from the HIV-AIDS pandemic had been applied. The article, therefore, argues that Kenya needs to be more prepared for any future pandemics and to have in place measures that will prevent women from bearing the brunt of any future Pandemics. A key lesson is that there is a need to understand and document how past pandemics have affected women and girls and to use the lessons from those Pandemics in informing policies on pandemic preparedness.

Deconstructing Gender-Based Violence from Kenyan Soap Narratives

2024-04-02T10:02:25+00:00

This research aimed to provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the interplay between media narratives, women’s health issues, and gender dynamics through an analysis of two selected soap operas. The study reveals alarming trends within the narratives, indicating that soaps mirror social stereotypes and beliefs regarding gender and culture. These include trivialization and normalization of Gender Based Violence (GBV), victimization, objectification, gender imbalance, and perpetuation of harmful gender stereotypes. Data analysis demonstrates a stark contrast in gender roles, with men portrayed as dominant, women as subordinate, and victims as helpless, revealing stratifiers in GBV depictions. The exclusion of various faces of GBV such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and the erasure or underrepresentation of marginalized groups from the narratives denotes the omission of an intersectionality lens to the portrayals. Moreover, the socioeconomic disparity between female actresses and male actors is evident, reinforcing gender inequalities offscreen and indicating syndemics influencing GBV. These findings underscore the significant impact of soap narratives in entrenching harmful gender stereotypes and normalizing violence, indicating a syndemics perspective in GBV construction. The portrayal of GBV in a trivialized manner perpetuates a culture of violence, which has severe implications for women’s well-being and empowerment. This article raises critical concerns regarding the potential negative consequences of media portrayals on societal attitudes and the perpetuation of violence which impacts women’s health. It highlights the urgent need for responsible and empowering media representations to challenge marginalization and harmful gender norms towards transformative change. By addressing the complexities within soap narratives, the study aims to pave the way for a more equitable and empowering media landscape that uses a syndemic perspective in pursuit of social change.

The Trilogy of the Coronavirus Disease, Religion, and the Health of African Women

2024-04-02T10:09:57+00:00

The article discusses the trilogy of the Coronavirus disease, religion, and the health of African women. The article aims to interrogate how the Coronavirus disease affected the health of African women and deteriorated their general well-being due to the prevailing religious-based gender inequalities. A qualitative research methodology was employed, namely interviews and literature review. The article argues that the COVID-19 pandemic revealed a gender bias against women because it amplified already existing gender inequalities and inequities which increased their vulnerabilities; affecting their health and general well-being in the following five areas: (1) gender disproportions; (2) domestic violence; (3) the well-being of women’s sexuality; (4) women’s hospitality; and (5) women’s mental health. These issues are detrimental to women’s well-being, and they negatively impact their socio-economic participation in society. Thus, the intersectionalities of African women’s health, religion, and the Coronavirus disease entails the inclusion of women in pandemic responses. The article proffers two main implications. Firstly, the inclusion and centering of women in the formulation of COVID-19 preparedness and response plans. The pandemic responses should be gender-conscious by recognizing the multiplicity of their effect on both men and women; subsequently, leading to the formulation of tailor-made responses which address the unique needs of women. Secondly, pandemic responses should address how women are disenfranchised in the hospitality sector. This implies that women's economic empowerment (WEE) has enormous potential to eradicate gender disparities and create a viable and sustainable future for girls and women.

The Health Insurance Enrolment and Utilization of Maternal Healthcare Services among Women in Kenya

2024-04-02T10:12:43+00:00

The Third Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) requires governments to provide good health for their populations by the year 2030. To achieve this, the Kenyan government has embarked on implementing various programmes targeting women. For instance, the government initially abolished the maternity services fee to enhance the utilization of maternal health care services. For efficient and effective management of the maternal healthcare services programme, the government transferred the services from the Ministry of Health to the National Hospital Insurance Fund. According to the Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) report, these policies led to an increase in enrolment in health insurance from 19.5 percent to 26 percent of women. Despite the improvement in health insurance uptake, the mortality rates are still higher than seventy deaths per 100,000 live births. One of the probable causes of these mortality rates may be due to delivery at home. A woman who delivers at home may not get medical attention in case of an emergency. To improve maternal health outcomes, there is a need to investigate the relationship between enrolment in health insurance and utilization of maternal healthcare services among Kenyan women. To achieve this objective, the study uses secondary data sourced from the Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey (KIHBS). The study estimates this relationship using the Propensity Score Matching method. The results reveal that women who have enrolled for health insurance are 3.6 percent more likely to utilize maternal health care services than those not enrolled. The study, therefore, recommends the formulation of policies targeting the enrolment of women in health insurance schemes.

Is The Participation of Women Smallholder Farmers in a Food Production Program The Panacea to Household Food Security?

2024-04-02T10:13:58+00:00

The quest to ensure food security at the household level in rural Africa continues to attract attention through robust research under the ambit of sustainable development goals. With the increasing subdivision of agricultural land, the smallholder farmers, many of whom are women, are now at the center of the food production ecosystem. Thus, women’s participation aimed at meeting family food needs can no longer be ignored. In response to this, this study set out to examine a specific strategy of prioritizing women household heads (WHHs) in the Bungoma County Farm Input Support Program (FISP). The study adopted a descriptive design guided by a theoretical perspective premised on a participatory framework. Data was obtained from 464 respondents including 450 beneficiaries whose responses gathered quantitative data while 8 key informants and 6 Focus Group Discussion (FGD) responses gathered qualitative data. Systematic random sampling was used to select respondents, while purposive sampling was used to identify FGD members and key informants. The data were obtained using an interview schedule, FGD, and Key Informant Interview (KII). Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics while qualitative data, by content analysis. The findings indicate that women’s participation in the program has a positive impact on food production at the household level and that middle-aged women tend to be more productive. Furthermore, women beneficiaries used their involvement in the program to improve their social relationships more than men did. The study concludes that women’s participation in an agriculture program increases the yield per household, thereby enhancing food security. The study recommends an increase in the number of women among the beneficiaries and, to provide psychosocial support through capacity building.

Climate Smart Agriculture Policy Interventions for Inclusive and Sustainable Development

2024-04-02T10:15:35+00:00

Climate change poses significant challenges to Kenya, impacting its agricultural sector through erratic weather patterns, including prolonged droughts and increased flooding. Climate Smart Agriculture has emerged as a strategy for adaptation and promotion of environmental sustainability and sustainable development. The Climate Change Act, 2016, National Climate Change Action Plan 2018– 2022, and National Climate Change Framework Policy Sessional Article No. 3 of 2016 are among the policies Kenya's government has put in place to lessen the effects of climate change and encourage economic empowerment. Kenya's government is implementing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to advance food security and social inclusion in equitable transition processes. In this article, climate change governance, as outlined in the policies, is evaluated. The article also examines whether gender-based inequality is promoted through policy shortcomings and roadblocks. The article applied desk research, examining available literature, database analysis, and policy article reviews. The study assesses how these policies have affected gender parity in climate-smart agriculture. The results show that, while climate change legislation has supported resilience and a green economy, knowledge of gender-based inequality has not been raised. Since the policies do not support equal opportunities for men and women, climate-smart agriculture has contributed to increased gender-based inequities. The policies strongly emphasize climate-smart agriculture and enhance standards and productivity levels. However, they are insensitive to gender prejudices, and there are no provisions to enhance the working conditions for female laborers who provide their services for planting and harvesting. The study recommends fast-tracking implementation with effective monitoring and evaluation tools. In conclusion, climate change policies should target all actors to build sustainable development and adequate food security.

Media Framing of Women in Business

2024-04-02T10:16:45+00:00

This study focused on the framing of women business leaders in mainstream newspapers in Kenya. The study was guided by three research questions: What is the frequency of coverage of issues female business leaders in Kenya have? How has mainstream media framed coverage of female business leaders in Kenya? What is the implication of this framing for sustainable development? The study adopted a descriptive research design. It targeted women business leaders who have attained that status either because their companies are listed on the Nairobi securities exchange, or because their companies compare to such companies through performance, size, capitalization, and formal structure. The theoretical foundations of the study are the agenda-setting and framing theories. Data collection was through content analysis. Data collected was analyzed and findings were presented using narrative analysis procedures. The study found there was minimal coverage of women business leaders in mainstream newspapers in Kenya. In addition, the little coverage that there was, was negative or indifferent. The study found that the mainframes used to cover women were patriarchal, gender-descriptive roles, feminized images, and allusion to men. It concluded that this framing has a detrimental effect on the ascension of women to positions of power in business and hinders natural economic development. The research recommended that women business leaders proactively take charge of their narrative as opposed to leaving it to the media to control as they wish. This gives them more control over the amount and tonality of coverage across mainstream media.

Women Experiences With Religion in The Novels of Three Kenyan Women Writers

2024-04-02T10:17:36+00:00

The article analyses several novels by three distinguished Kenyan women writers from the viewpoint of the attitude of the authors (through their characters) to the role of religion in the life of Kenyan women and, on a larger scale, Kenyan society. While Margaret Ogola in her novels shows the revolutionary role of the Christian religion in the lives of Kenyan women (The River and the Source), and its role as the last resort for desperate situations in life (Place of Destiny), Pat Ngurukie focuses on the role of religion in marriage (The CEO Wife), and Rebeka Njau in her novel The Sacred Seed draws a semi-fantastic picture of the confrontation between good and evil forces, supported by supernatural powers. The study concludes that in the discussed novels religion is presented as a symbol of the forces that play a constructive role in the life of human beings and, on a wider scale, human societies, as opposed to the destructive powers, embodied by various negative characters, mostly of male origin, since the social ailments that are condemned by the authors are associated with the ideology of male dominance. The discussed novels also advocate constructive relationships between sexes, featuring positive male characters, that assist the heroines to overcome life hardships, and most of them are religious people. However, the authors’ role models are those personages (primarily female) for whom religion is a driving force that enables them to follow a straight road in life, vanquish many snares and obstacles, and inspire future generations.

Enhancing Sustainable Housing Through Women’s Cultural Skills, Experiences, and Knowledge

2024-04-02T10:18:11+00:00

This article focuses on women’s thoughts and experiences in relation to sustainable development in the Maasai community. Women in the Maasai culture have been perceived as the key change agents in housing as they transfer design and construction knowledge from one generation to the other. However, the elements of globalization and modernization have transformed the housing sector design and construction to embrace the Western approach, thus creating a cultural requirement gap in the housing design and construction as upheld by the Maasai. This study determines the role of women as change agents in housing in the conventional sector; assesses the relevance of cultural identity presented in the housing design and development; and looks at the threat posed by modernity in conventional housing design and development among the Maasai culture. The qualitative research approach and content analysis were considered as the best methodological approach for the study. The study selectively identified and analyzed reports on housing characteristics in Kajiado County, as presented by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and the Society for International Development (SID), 2013 Reports. The assessment criteria identified housing building materials such as, for roofing: tiles, grass, makuti, corrugated iron sheets, tin, asbestos sheets, mud/dung, and concrete, among other roofing materials; for the walls: stone, bricks/block, mud/wood, mud/cement, wood only, corrugated iron sheets, grass/reeds, tin, and other; and for the floor: cement, tiles, wood, earth, household, among other materials. Therefore, due to the strong cultural practices that have been relayed over the years, the role of women in housing design and construction is still strong in the Maasai community. However, globalization and, especially urbanization bringing in industrial housing products and legal frameworks and policies that change women’s role in housing, have presented a number of challenges to the Maasai women while undermining the local culture.

Social Interactions and Women’s Labour Market Outcomes in Kenya

2024-04-02T10:19:02+00:00

We analyze labour market participation and income among 15-49-year-old women in Kenya. Our covariates are a number of sexual partners, marital status, post-secondary school training, and the Program. The Program separates direct beneficiaries of Free Elementary School Education from non-beneficiaries. We utilize the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey in a fuzzy regression discontinuity design. We test for robustness using quantile regression at the 10th, 50th, and 90th labour income quantile. Program participation raises single years of schooling by 4-5 months but does not affect labour incomes significantly. Women’s labour incomes decline significantly among women in the 50th labour income quantile. Post-secondary training significantly raises labour incomes. The longer the period a woman spends furthering studies beyond grade 12, the fewer the sexual partners. Reductions in women’s earnings due to non-husband sexual partners are driven by unmarried women. We recommend that the Government of Kenya and its developmental partners invest in enhancing the enrolment and completion of further studies, notably; college, TVET, and university.

Women, War and Terrorism

2024-04-02T10:19:41+00:00

This article examines war and terrorism discourses from an African feminist perspective. It focuses on the male-centric nature of war and terrorism discourse. The article argues that although women play critical roles in war and terrorism, their voices are not integrated into counterterrorism interventions because of the patriarchal nature of war and terrorism. The article critiques the dominant historical, philosophical, and theoretical perspectives that masculinize war and terrorism discourse. It explores three key questions, one: in what ways have men been masculinized into war and terrorism discourse; two: in what ways have women been excluded from war and terrorism discourse; and three: what contributions do women bring to efforts against terrorism based on their lived experiences? This article examines social theories that justify men’s dominance in the discourse on terrorism. It coins the African feminist theory Nafsi that acknowledges the power and vulnerability that inform women’s knowledge and experiences of terrorism. The article is based on a 2021 study in the Majengo slums of Nairobi, Kenya, and uses a narratological approach to capture the knowledge and experiences of mothers of male Al-Shabaab recruits to terrorism discourse. It concludes by exemplifying women’s continued contribution to fighting terrorism and calls for a gender-inclusive approach to terrorism discourse.