Research News

CARE KENYA

CARE International in Kenya (CIK), The African Women Studies Centre (AWSC) of University of Nairobi together with Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Organization (KALRO) carried out a research on Evaluating Impacts of Gender in Agriculture and Food Security Outcomes in Agriculture. The study aimed to test two comparable, distinctive gender transformative approaches, and measure their potential for improved gender equality, food and nutrition security.  The overall study applied a Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) design to compare the standard Farmer Field School (FFS) approach, gender-transformative Farmer Field and Business School (GT-FFBS) and the control. The study focused on comparison of differential outcomes in gender equality and empowerment, food and nutrition security, and economic well-being in Kinangop Sub-County, Nyandarua County.

The overall objective of this study was to contribute to women’s agricultural productivity, incomes, household food and nutrition security, and gender equality through a gender transformative Farmer Field and Business School compared to the standard, gender-neutral Farmer Field School (FFS) model. The specific objectives were:

  1. To evaluate contribution of FFBS to household and community food and nutrition security
  2. To assess the linkages between agricultural crop productivity, incomes and food and nutritional outcomes
  3.  

 

 

To assess the impact of FFBS on gender equality and women’s  empowerment

  1. To evaluate impact of FFBS on economic well-being of resource-scarce smallholder households.

AWSC Team led in the collection of qualitative data in the endline survey which was conducted in July/August 2020. The endline survey was in addition to the baseline survey and midline survey conducted earlier in the project. The endline survey was conducted by AWSC, CARE International in Kenya and KALRO to determine the extent to which women farmers in Kinangop Sub-County are empowered, two and half years since the inception of the project. The survey sought to address objective three of the project, which is to assess the impact of FFBS on gender equality and women’s empowerment. The measurement of women empowerment was based on The Project- Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (Pro-WEAI) which measures the Intrinsic Agency, Instrumental Agency, and Collective Agency of women in the agriculture sector. 

Qualitative data was collected using Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Oral Testimonies (OT). FGDs were conducted for women only, men only and for mixed groups. Oral testimonies were also conducted for both women and men. In addition women spread across treatment and control areas were interviewed for Genders Sensitive Indicators (GSI).

 

The following is a brief summary of the key findings of the endline survey, on all the indicators of women empowerment as well as community’s understanding and perception of empowerment:

  1. Intrinsic Agency
  1. Autonomy of income: Women reported an encouraging trend in sharing of the farm income among spouses in married arrangements. Encouraging trends were also reported in use of farm proceeds especially in areas where training had been done. 
  2. Self-efficacy: Women who had undergone gender training reported improved self-confidence and being made conscious of their capabilities in dealing with situations that may come their way.
  3. Attitudes towards gender based violence: Respondents from GT-FFBS reported reduced cases of gender based violence. They also indicated that in cases where GBV occurred, it was frowned upon by the community and sometimes it went unreported. 
  4. Respect among household members: Improvements  in respect among household members was reported in study groups
  5. Input in productive decisions: Both men and women also reported an increasing trend in women participation in decision making in production activities. This was particularly reported in areas where gender training (GT-FFBS) has been done. But women called for the trainers to increase sensitization of men on the importance of women decision making. This has a direct importance of enhancing the nutritional status and general welfare of the family. 
""

WEE HUB

In collaboration with our partners, be thought leader in each of the four work cluster areas, which are Affirmative Action Funds and entrepreneurship; Women in formal and informal employment; Child care and women’s work; and Women’s movement and policy advocacy for WEE. Drawing from a multi-disciplinary team of scholars in economics, women’s studies, law, business studies and development studies, the hub will produce foundation research to understand what matters for women’s economic empowerment and understand pathways that enable women’s work. It will provide expertise to policy makers, researchers and other stakeholders in these four program areas.

 

The WEE Hub will work collaboratively with civil society, the women’s movement and relevant government departments to generate cutting edge data to strengthen generation and use of evidence to advance WEE and gender equality in Kenya, which will be used to provide innovative policy and research ideas in the four cluster areas. Further, the WEE Hub will build the necessary infrastructure for the scale up of these innovative ideas, build demand for evidence and ensure it informs policies, programs and public discourse. As a thought leader, the WEE Hub will contribute towards shaping the agenda for WEE in Kenya, and influencing policy development and implementation.

WEE

3rd ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON THE STATUS OF AFRICAN WOMEN

October 14 – 16 | Virtual

The aim of the conference is to bring together scholars involved in research on areas evolving around areas women and environment; gender issues and environment; women’s socio-economic empowerment and environment; gender, politics, environment and governance as well as documenting and preserving African women’s knowledge and experiences in relation to environment. This conference will provide an opportunity for networking among scholars from various backgrounds and enable participants to share practical solutions for a healthy environment.

 

The African Women’s Studies Centre (AWSC) of the University of Nairobi will hold a conference from with the theme:

“Women, Climate Change , Environment and Technology”

Due to the current corona virus pandemic, we will this year hold our conference virtually, and participants will for the first time interact virtually. The university of Nairobi is therefore making all the necessary arrangements to make this conference deliver a unique experience to the participants.

The aim of the conference is to bring together scholars involved in research on areas evolving around areas women and environment; gender issues and environment; women’s socio-economic empowerment and environment; gender, politics, environment and governance as well as documenting and preserving African women’s knowledge and experiences in relation to environment. This conference will provide an opportunity for networking among scholars from various backgrounds and enable participants to share practical solutions for a healthy environment.

In this perspective the AWSC invites abstracts and full papers from interested scholars on the following broad thematic areas:

  1. Impact of climate change on African women’s lives.
  2. Challenges facing women in the struggle for food security in the context of climate change and diminishing natural resources.
  3. Exploring appreciation of science and technology for women in the context of environmental degradation.
  4. Vulnerability of African women to disasters.
  5. Gender issues in the preservation of African cultural indigenous knowledge in the era of technology.
  6. Environmental effects on African women.

The possible sub-themes:

  • Women and Climate Change :
  • African women and food security.
  • Gender issues in natural resources
  • Women and technology
  • Women and environment
  • Environment and African women’s security
  • African indigenous knowledge
  • Environmental conflicts

Artistic works including poems, stories/narratives or songs relevant to specific sub-themes are also welcome

Research Week 2020 ...

is the 3rd Annual event hosted by the University of Nairobi in October each year. The week features over ten different conferences covering a diverse range of academic disciplines, one of which is bound to meet your interest and area of expertise. 

The conferences provide a forum to enable you to present your work, engage with your colleagues, and learn about the latest developments in your field. 

For students, especially PhD students, Research Week 2020 provides and ideal forum to present and receive positive critique on your work before you submit it for journal publication, or before your dissertation defence.

DUE to the on-going COVID-19 Pandemic all the 2020 conferences will be online.

Conference Poster

  

AIBUMA @10 conference brings together leading academics, researchers and business leaders to exchange and share their experiences and research.  We encourage interdisciplinary   research and collaborations.  You can participate in a number of ways;

  • Research papers
  • Presentation of ideas in gestation e.g. proposals
  • Panels
  • Posters
  • Fishbowl
  • TED talk 

Please contact the conference chair Prof.  XN Iraki to arrange your preferred format of presentation.

Send your abstracts or synopsis to Wniraki@uonbi.ac.ke or Xniraki@gmail.com  or hilda@uonbi.ac.ke. Undergraduates and postgraduates students are encouraged to contribute. There is a prize for the best graduate and undergraduate paper/presentation. You can call me on 0733655262.

Note: Accepted papers will be peered reviewed and published FOR FREE inAfrica International Journal of Business and Management (AJBUMA)- ISSN 2079-410 X

Our theme is “Managing 21st Century Realities“

Date/Time
Date(s) - 23/10/2019 - 24/10/2019
All Day

The Department of Literature at the University of Nairobi has organised this conference to promote a healthy debate on value creating education and critical thinking. We invite scholars, practitioners, professionals and students to participate in the discussions. The two broad themes are Value Creating Education for Sustainable Development and Critical Thinking in a Global World

CLICK HERE for more information

Latest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research News

Latest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research NewsLatest Research News