DETERMINANTS OF GENDER MAINSTREAMING IN NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS’ PROJECTS IN MERU COUNTY: A CASE OF COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL ASSISTED PROJECT
Purity Kananu Mungania - Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Dr. Stephen Wanyonyi Luketero - University of Nairobi, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Gender mainstreaming is a practice and concept that is contested yet a mandatory requirement that has been accepted by both international and government organizations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of gender mainstreaming in development projects with reference to Compassion International assisted projects. This study was based on Broad-based Participation and Consultation model and Alternate Approach model theory. The proposed study was modeled on a descriptive design. The study targeted the 703 respondents that are served by Compassion International Kenya Meru County. Data was collected both from primary and secondary source. The main instrument was questionnaire. A sample size of 240 respondents drawn from a targeted population of 703 formed the sample size for the study. The research employed self-administered questionnaires to collect data. The data was processed and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 22. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used for analysis. The results are presented in summary reports and tables. All the respondents indicated that there is written gender equality policy. Socio-cultural practices and historical factorswere found to be significant determinants of gender mainstreaming in Compassion International. Gender mainstreaming requires a need to build up the necessary gender knowledge among all policy-makers and learning processes to develop the capacity to put mainstreaming strategies into practice. The study recommends action has been taken to promote change in cultural practices and values and these include; changes in the law particularly, with regard to inheritance, property ownership and marriage, public education campaigns, and program redesign which entails incorporation of gender equality themes in HIV/AIDS prevention initiatives, policy makers need to come up with a curriculum that include gender issues for purpose of sensitizing the community on the cultural barriers which hinder gender mainstreaming. The study also recommends eliminating discrimination in employment, civil status, public life, education, healthcare, and various aspects of women’s social and economic life, as the first step toward gender mainstreaming. Another recommendation is that every project manager in Compassion International should engage a gender expert to steer and advise on gender- related aspects in the project and educate employees on the various details with regard to equality. Finally, the study recommends existing gender committees in Compassion International in liaison with the external organizations that deal with gender, social development and children affairs to hold regular workshops to sensitize as many stakeholders as possible and promote public awareness on gender issues in development.
