Factors Influencing Participation of Men in Self- Help Groups in Kenya

Abstract

Purpose: Evidence indicates that men in Kenya have in the past been less likely than women to engage in self-help groups. Many poverty alleviation strategies targeting the very poor and the vulnerable in Kenya are designed around Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Nevertheless, the numbers of men are considerably lower than expected, given the levels of poverty in Kenya and in the slums. Studies indicate that all available social institutions and processes are used as avenue for demonstrating femininities and masculinities, affirming existing gender stereotypes and affirming power relations as handed down by patriarchy. Behaviour and attitudes towards SHGs are also linked to wider social – cultural influences which largely constitute of processes, identities, experiences and role expectations in the society. This study sought to investigate the role that patriarchy, masculinity, socio-culture and gender stereotyping play in participation of men in SHGs.  The symbolic interaction theory that analyses society by addressing the subjective meanings that people enforce on objects, events, and behaviours will be adopted as the theoretical framework.Methodology: A mixed research design was adopted. The study location, Kawangware slums, was chosen because of the many SHGs in existence that are actively being used as a vehicle for poverty reduction among low income male and females and also because it is not extensively studied as compared to other slums. Purposive sampling was used to determine male respondents who were drawn up from members of existing SHGs, non-members of SHGs and officials of SHG service providers. The sample size was determined by the principle of theoretical saturation. Open and closed ended questionnaires, interviews, observation and focus group discussions were used to collect data from the respondents. Data was analysed using quantitative and qualitative methods. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic, content and discourse methods and SPSS was used to analyse quantitative data. Results: The results obtained were useful in revealing the reasons for low male subscription in SHGs.  Policy makers, Non-Governmental Organizations and financial organizations working with SHGs will all benefit from the results of this study.

Keywords: Chama, Gender, Masculinity, Patriarchy, Poverty, Self-help groups