Discussion Paper No. 266 of 2021 on Gender-Based Leadership Inequality and Economic Development in Kenya

Abstract

The need to achieve gender-based leadership and reduce the inequality that has existed before cannot be without women’s empowerment. Having female leadership increases equality, since most African countries are patriarchal societies. This paper utilized a descriptive research design and used both secondary and primary data from two County Governments in Kenya. The paper found that in both political and economic leadership, there is still a disparity between men and women. In terms of ownership of land and employment, economic benefits go to individuals, groups, and regions that had hitherto not gained much from what little growth has taken place. The right to education is guaranteed by the Constitution as a variable to the empowerment of women and girls, but education is still wanting for women. Many girls are still out of school due to, among other factors, customary practices that expose them to early marriages and child pregnancies. The legal frameworks available, including African Call to have 50:50 gender representation, are yet to be realized in Kenya.