Gender Dynamics In Decision Making On Food Security In Kenyan Rural Households: A Case Of Lugari District

Abstract

Food availability in households is dependent on how decision-making processes along the production chain are managed between male and female spouses. Food production chain starts from land preparation, purchase of inputs, planting, weeding, harvesting, storing, management, consumption and selling of harvested foodstuffs. However, in most rural households in Kenya, and Lugari district in particular, decision-making along this household food chain is influenced by gender dynamics on socio-cultural factors which shape the way such decisions are made. The objective of this study was therefore to assess these dynamics in relation to decision-making on food security at the household level. In particular, it sought to investigate gender manifestations on socio-cultural factors and the way they influence decision-making processes on the entire food production chain; management, storage and consumption in rural households. Using Gender differences, Human Capital and Elite power theories, the study examined how decision- making process on food security at the household level was influenced by gender dynamics. It investigated gender dynamics in decision-making using social-cultural factors amongst them education, income, leadership and how they influenced decision- making process on food security in rural households. The study was significant because of its benefits both males and females including policy makers. It used a survey design to collect data which was obtained by use of interview schedules from a sample of 260 respondents drawn from a frame of desegregated households selected from a population of rural households using proportionate and systematic sampling procedures. Data collected was analysed using SPPS Computer Programme and presented in form of descriptive statistics which included tables, frequencies and percentages. The study established that food security at the household level was affected by gender dynamics on socio-cultural factors which shaped the decision making. The study recommends the establishment of a gender specific education policy on household food production and management to be incorporated in the university, research institutions, tertiary and secondary school's curricula as a guide for studying and understanding gender dynamics on food production and management at the household level in Lugari district and Kenya as a whole. This curricula should be done through the Ministries handling Agriculture, Gender, Children and Sports and used as a guide in workshops to empower rural households in decision-making on food production at the household level.