International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume VI, Issue IX, September 2022|ISSN 2454-6186
James Mbeta Matoke1, George Odhiambo2, Isaiah Onjala3
1Masters Student Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), Kenya
2Lecturer JOOUST, Department of Social Studies, Kenya
3Senior Lecturer JOOUST, Department of Social Studies, Kenya
Abstract: This paper explores Kisii women’s participation in general elections since 2013. Contrary to scholarship that overemphasizes how patriarchal mechanisms keep women out of the political sphere, the chapter explores the experiences of women in their local context to show the reality of how the interplay between patriarchal structures and processes within the realm of Abagusi traditions and state projects, and the persistence of matrilineal practices and ideologies has contributed to the way women navigate the political space in Kisii county. We focus on how women negotiated the patriarchal electoral terrain in their positions as political ‘managers’ – as mobilizers and convincing agents. We argue that women’s political participation has been shaped by historical, social and cultural processes, and continues to be informed by gendered maternal ideologies that formed a crucial ground for negotiation and renegotiation of women’s political performances in the general elections. We conclude that while the prevailing patriarchal climate in Kisii county inspired largely by tradition and kin relations, limits women’s ascension into elective positions, it complexly provides them an opportunity to perform public politics.
Keywords: Abagusi, Patriarchy, Political Participation, Women’s quest
I. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
The status of women in society is increasingly recognised on a global scale. As a result, women’s involvement in electoral politics has garnered a lot of scholarly attention in recent years all around the world. However, women are still notably underrepresented in elective posts in several nations around the world. According to UNDP (2010), there is a significant and ongoing gender disparity in women’s participation in politics in general and electoral politics in particular. Women make up about 18.4% of the membership in world parliaments. It is frequently said that each gender should be represented in all decision-making organs in every public organisation where decisions that have an impact on people’s lives are made by a minimum of 30 to 40 percent of each gender (CEDAW, 1997).