TOP-DOWN ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE CONSTRAINTS OF WOMEN INVOLVEMENT IN MANAGEMENT LEVEL OF COUNTY FUNDED GRASS-ROOT COMMUNITY WATER PROJECTS IN MAKUENI COUNTY, KENYA
TOP-DOWN ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE CONSTRAINTS OF WOMEN INVOLVEMENT IN MANAGEMENT LEVEL OF COUNTY FUNDED GRASS-ROOT COMMUNITY WATER PROJECTS IN MAKUENI COUNTY, KENYA
Timothy Elizabeth Kathini - St Pauls University, Kenya
Dr. Peter Koome (PhD) - St Pauls University, Kenya
Dr. Florence Nyamweru Gitahi (PhD) - St Pauls University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
In response to gender inequalities, many third world countries amended their constitutions and policies to address these issues. While much progress has been realized, research shows that in community development projects, women are not fully involved in senior management positions. The goal of this study was to investigate the influence of top-down organizational structure constraints in women involvement in the senior management levels of county-funded grass-root community water projects in Makueni County. The study was conducted through a descriptive survey study. The target population comprised of 441 management board members who were assigned to manage individual county-funded grass-root community water projects in the county. A sample size of 132individuals within eight wards was brought about by the use of systematic sampling. This study used structured questionnaire tool for data collection. The pilot study involved 10% of the target respondents. They were conducted in Makindu community water projects in Makueni County, which was part of the target population but did not take part in the main study. Descriptive data analysis was employed where frequency distribution tables and percentages were used as data analysis tools. The descriptive statistics used included means, standard deviation, frequency, and percentages. The study established that employment policies, employment procedures, domineering attitudes and monitoring and evaluation influence women's involvement in the management of county-funded community water projects. The study therefore recommended that the county government need to provide the right skills, empowerment, and experience to grassroot women who are willing to fully be involved in community projects. Community development project county directors need to ensure that women are involved in the project research, prioritization, planning, implementation as well as monitoring and evaluation processes.
