Factors Preventing Participation Of Men In Community Development Projects In Okatana Constituency In The Oshana Region, Namibia

ABSTRACT

Community participation lies at the heart of developmental programmes and policies. Unfortunately, the literature proves that many community development projects fail due to low community participation. In Namibia, the issue of low community participation is particularly associated with men distancing themselves from community projects.

This study aimed at investigating underlying factors preventing participation of men in community development projects with special reference to the Okatana constituency in the Oshana region, Namibia.

A phenomenological research design was used to explore participants’ experiences and perceptions of and about factors preventing participation of men in community development projects. Phenomenological design was also used to elicit meanings which participants attached to events such as those of full participation, withdrawal and non- participation in community projects. The researcher employed a semi-structured self-developed interview guide to collect data from participants. The population of this study was men and women in the Oshana region. A criterion-purposive sampling procedure was employed to select a total sample of 18 participants from four villages: Ekamba, Andambo-Mbali, Omahahi and Eshongo Respectively.

A thematic content analysis technique was used to analyse data collected. The findings of the study were grouped into four main categories; Factors preventing participation of men in community development projects; Motivation for community participation; Benefits of equal community participation and Strategies to improve men’s participation in projects. The findings of this study indicated that factors preventing participation of men in community projects include socio-cultural and political barriers, as well as structural and administrative barriers.

Findings further revealed that community members were motivated by certain society and project related attributes which propels participation in projects. It was also found that community members were aware of the benefit that comes with equal participation of men and women in projects. The study suggested a number of strategies which could be employed to promote community participation in projects. It is recommended that development practitioners strengthen community education to create awareness of community projects. Participants also strongly recommended improvement of service delivery with a particular emphasis on resource allocation. Moreover, a recommendation for involving traditional leaders in identification as well as monitoring and evaluation of projects was made. Finally, the study recommends that replicating the same study in other regions could allow unique and varying findings across the entire country.