Transformation of Gender Labour Relations In Agriculture In Awendo Sub-County, Kenya, 1902-2017

Gender labour relations in agriculture have undergone a lot of changes over time impacting differently on both men and women. From the existing literature, gender labour inequalities have persisted over time in Awendo. The optimal agricultural productivity of both men and women has not been realized due to the skewed gender labour relations. Despite the significant strategies the government of Kenya, International Non-governmental Organizations and the International Governmental Organizations have put in place to address gender parity, the problem of gender inequality has not been addressed fully in Awendo by the government. A historical examination of the transformation of gender labour relations in agriculture in Awendo was therefore necessary. The purpose of this study was to examine the transformation of gender labour relations in agriculture in Awendo Sub-County, Kenya 1902-2017. The specific objectives were: to examine the roles of men and women in agriculture during the pre-colonial rule in Awendo, to analyze changing gender labour relations in agriculture in colonial Awendo, to assess the impact of independence on gender labour relations in agriculture in Awendo and to evaluate the existing strategies meant to reduce the persistent gender labour inequalities in agriculture in Awendo 1902-2017. The study was carried out in Awendo Sub-County because of the well established commercial and subsistence agriculture hence the study was able to examine the transformation of gender labour relations in agriculture over time. The study was guided by gender theoretical perspective (Ayesha, 1997) which emphasizes the social constructs of the roles and expectations created by society on what men and women should do or be thus making it relevant to this study on the transformation of gender labour relations in agriculture in Awendo Sub-County 1902-2017. Historical descriptive research design was employed to collect data and investigate the problem. This helped in assessing and describing the state of affairs in the transformation of gender labour relations in agriculture in Awendo 1902-2017. A sample size of 283 was derived from the study population of which more than 80% rely on agriculture. The study employed the snowballing sampling technique to select the key individuals who were believed to be information-rich in the area of study. Primary data was collected through oral accounts using in-depth interview schedule, Focus Group Discussions and also obtained from national and local archives. Secondary data were extracted from various sources. Data was analyzed qualitatively through thematic and content analysis by identifying key themes and concepts. The study has exhibited that gender labour transformation in Awendo in the pre-colonial time was determined by cultural factors, death of animals and population increase as well as population movements. The people of Awendo ventured into agriculture due to their interaction with the Bantu such as the Abagusii. Agricultural labour in Awendo was gendered as indicated by the division of labour. Agriculture was a women‟s affair as they provided most of the labour required. Crops that would bring in income such as yams and gourds were considered men‟s crops and were more important than the women‟s crops such as vegetables and grains. In addition to the excess agricultural labour, women in Awendo performed a myriad of domestic chores. The colonial system which was capitalist introduced a different labour structure that was unfavourable to the female gender because of the value it placed on the male labour. Male labour was withdrawn from the locality, leaving the women heavily burdened with excess male responsibilities. The removal of male labour persisted up to the post-independence period which did not take women‟s matters as crucial for the development of localities and the nation at large. However, towards the end of the 20th century, attention began to be given to women‟s issues. Legislations, legal interventions and government goodwill have been put in place though they have not adequately reached the grassroots women. Thus there is still a need for further aggressive actions against the persistent gender labour inequalities. Significantly, the study contributes to the historical understanding of the transformation of gender labour relations in agriculture in Awendo and enriches the literature on the study of women.