East African Journal of Arts and Social Sciences

Women’s participation in social development is fundamental for accomplishing social equity as well as reducing poverty. Worldwide experience shows clearly that supporting a stronger role for women contributes to economic growth, improves child survival and overall family health, and reduces fertility, thus helping to slow population growth rates. However, data show that women are under-represented at all levels of decision-making worldwide and that achieving their goals becomes difficult without them being in politics to influence or push their agenda. Hence, the purpose of this study was to assess the influence of politics on women's participation in social development in Turkana Central Sub-County, Turkana County, Kenya. Liberalism and patriarchy theory was used to guide the study. The study targeted a total population of 630 from 31 women's registered organisations. The study sample was statistically calculated using a confidence level of 95%, a margin of


INTRODUCTION
Since the middle of the 17th century, women have fought for their political rights. During the French Revolution, even a feminist movement was organised. The fights last for many generations, and finally after the midnineteenth century, females in countries such as the United States and Britain obtained voting rights. Later in the first half of the 20th century, women in some countries gained the same political rights as males. In 1952, the United Nations declared that female and males should have the same rights in every election (United Nations Women, 2020).
Politics is the set of activities that are associated with making decisions in groups or other forms of power relations among individuals, such as the distribution of resources or status (Saxena, 2011). According to Malewa (2019), women are the majority in numbers but are sometimes not involved in making decisions about things that concern them. This is because their participation in political leadership is still at a very low rate.
Inter-Parliamentarian Union (2022) report indicates that the global average of women in parliament has now reached 25.5%. This falls below the target of 30% that was intended to be achieved by 2005, as set in the 1995 Beijing Platform for action. Following the elections in In Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe and Northern America, women hold more than 30% of parliamentary seats. Women make up 26% of parliamentarians in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Eastern Asia and Southeastern Asia, there is 22% of women legislators, followed by Northern Africa and Western Asia with 21% of women in national parliaments. There are less than 20% of women Members of Parliament in Central Asia and Southern Asia, and Oceania (Inter-Parliamentary Union, 2020).
In East Africa, Rwanda has made a mark globally in women's parliamentary political participation. It has the highest number of women parliamentarians at 56.3% (Devlin & Elgie, 2014). Rwanda succeeded in increasing the number of women in political leadership by implementing a gender quota system. With a population of 70% female following the 1994 genocide, women had to assume traditionally male roles. Having increased their participation in the drafting of a new constitution and new legislative structures, they pushed for greater equality in politics through such initiatives as a constitutional quota and election quotas to ensure women's place at the political table (Muhesibwe, 2017).
In Kenya, during the 2017 elections, only 23 women made it to parliament. However, the number of female MPs in Kenya has increased in the 2022 elections because 29 women were elected to parliament. Some of them are newcomers, while others were re-elected. Even though Kenya is a signatory to international conventions and agreements which persistently stresses the role of women's equal participation in political leadership, Kenyan women still continue to be marginalised in the sphere of leadership and decision-making (Kamau, 2013). The Kenyan Vision 2030, the country's development blueprint that aims at developing Kenya into a newly industrialised country by the year 2030, also points out that sustainable development cannot be achieved without the participation of both men and women in decision-making.
Women play a big role in social development. Women are the primary caretakers of children and elders in every country of the world. Lenox (2020) demonstrates that when the economy and political organisation of a society change, women take the lead in helping the family adjust to new realities and challenges.
Throughout history, the central role of women in society has ensured the stability, progress, and long-term development of nations. Globally, women comprise 43% of the world's agricultural labour force, rising to 70% in some countries (Deere, 2014). For instance, across Africa, 80% of agricultural production comes from small farmers, most of whom are rural women (Rahji & Falusi, 2015). It is widely accepted that agriculture can be the engine of growth and poverty reduction in developing nations. Women, notably mothers, play the largest role in decision-making about family meal planning and diet. And, women self-report more often their initiative in preserving child health and nutrition (FAO/MAF, 2018).

Statement of the Problem
Women's participation globally, regionally, and locally remains a sensitive issue of concern. In Kenya, slightly more than half of the population consists of women, who provide a crucial element of the human resource base (Karen & Sarah, 2017). However, existing data indicate that their participation in social development is limited, primarily because they are underrepresented in positions of senior management in public institutions and in places where policies affecting them are formulated (Kariuki, 2010).
Turkana like any other pastoral region, remains largely traditional. Women are better known as labourers and maintained within households to work-family basically in livestock production activities, cultural activities that involve nursing children and execution of household duties. Women and girl children going to school or securing jobs remains a difficult task with very minimal breakthroughs. As a result, women, by and large, have remained poor and impoverished (Estudillo, 2011).
In Turkana Central Sub County, the most urbanised area of Turkana with enormous social economic opportunities, despite a considerable number of women professionals and the availability of businesses that women could undertake, it is proving cumbersome for women to penetrate the male dominance and goodwill. However, it is expected that future increases in policies promoting women's empowerment and participation in local, regional, and national development, and with the availability of enablers such as financing, security, good competition, adequate training, and competitive and comparative advantages, will create latitude for women to contribute meaningfully to issues of the societal development (Anno and Pjero, 2021). Considering the objective of this study to investigate the impact of women's engagement on social development in Turkana Central Sub-County, Turkana County, Kenya, knowledge to be accrued will create a reflection on which women's empowerment and participation in development and wider matters of economic transformation will be applied, replicated, and pursued further through research and development.

H01:
Politics have no significant influence on women's participation in social development in Turkana Central Sub-County, Turkana County, Kenya.

Theoretical Review
This study was guided by liberalism and patriarchy theory

Liberalism
Liberalism is a political philosophy or worldview founded on ideas of liberty and equality. Liberals adopt a wide range of views depending on the principal understanding of these, but in general, they support programmes and ideas, for example, the freedom of speech, press, religion, civil rights, free markets, democratic societies, international cooperation, gender equality and secular governments (Crenshaw, 2017). Gender equality, which is one of the views supported by liberals, is a state of equal access to opportunity and resources on gender, decision-making plus participation in the economy, valuing the stature of different behaviours, equal needs, and aspirations despite the gender. Equality on gender, equality in men and women, has the concept that all human beings, men, and women, can, without charge, developing on their personal abilities and make choices without the limitations of rigid gender roles, stereotypes as well as prejudices. Gender equality denotes that the different aspirations, behaviour as well as needs of both men and women are looked into, valued and favoured in equal measures (Green, 2017). women in ensuring equal opportunities and participation in all areas of life. Advancing female political participation is a means to the attainment of the SDGs. It is amongst the Targets for Goal Five that "Ensure women's full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life" (United Nations Women, 2020). This theory is relevant for this study as it explains the importance of women involving themselves in politics so that they can be able to push their agenda and therefore improve their social and economic status.

Patriarchy Theory
The patriarchy theory was advanced by Hartman (1976). Hartman pronounced two key axes towards male dominance and control over a wide range of domestic and community activities. The first one was the men's superior power. According to Hartman, men's material power and women's economic dependence on them is what defines men as superior and women being inferior due to their dependence on men (Anigwe, 2014). The second part forms the basis of the labour division that recognises the role of women in the domestic field while the men take charge of the modern economy in the world outside. Women's responsibilities in the domestic sphere take most of their energy and time, thus leaving them with neither much energy nor much leisure and the freedom of mind to engage in the productive activities that males in the public sphere always do. Due to this, there is the perpetuation of monopoly by males who hold vital socio-economic hierarchy and the related major institutions of modern society such as law and politics (Alzuabi, 2016). Therefore, male domination and the restriction of women to domestic workers are the basis for women's oppression and subordination.
This concept of patriarchy will be employed in the study to demonstrate how men's material power has led to their superiority over women in society, hence their dominance in political leadership (Almasry, 2012). Stereotypes in gender including those that portray women as incapable of leading and serving hence keeping women to be marginalised in their status by emphasising their purported weaknesses have shaped societal attitudes towards women (Altius & Raveloharimisy, 2016). In the instances of exclusion of women from powerful positions, there follows a weakening of the principles of democratic development, inhibiting societal and economic development.

Empirical Review
The investigation by Liangxue Xu (2015) examined the impacts of female political support on financial improvement in Asian countries. Using cross-country and board relapses, the experts investigated whether sexual direction openings in political support impacted monetary improvement in the midst of the time frame of 1991 to 2013 using data obtained from 30 Asian countries. The analyst invigorated and showed the eventual outcomes of past assessments on the association between female political premium and monetary improvement and zeroed in on the examination on the Asian board. The results showed that, lately, female political interest supports monetary advancement in Asia. Kaimenyi et al. (2013) examined the affirmative action of the two-thirds gender rule in Kenya. The examination discovered that governmental policy regarding minorities in society could work and advance sexual orientation value in political portrayal and at last enhance improvement results if there is a full duty to its targets and measures. The investigation suggested that the government ought to create projects to guarantee that political, financial, and socio-cultural factors that prevent the participation of women out in the open life ought to be tended to. Battles and sensitisations ought to be reinforced with the help of governmental policy regarding minorities in society for women. The gathering strategy on the choice of contender for the assignment in the gathering's fortresses ought to purposely and as an issue of gathering arrangement and duty target women. The political parties can likewise present intentional standards by setting up that a specific level of the candidates challenging for Member of Parliament seats are women, ideally more than 30%. On the off chance that every one of the parties does as such, that would be an extraordinary walk for governmental policy regarding minorities in society for women (Karl, 2012). Muigua (2015) basically analysed the idea of sexual orientation value and the role it plays in the accomplishment of comprehensive improvement in Kenya. Sexual orientation value is perfect that is yet to be figured out. Muigua (2015) contends that the nation's endeavours towards accomplishing manageable advancement require the coordinated endeavours of the two people. This is on the grounds that the two groups have diverse yet reciprocal needs that comprehensive national advancement must address. On the off chance that this is to be accomplished viably, there is a requirement for assessing the role of sexual orientation value in the advancement talk. This discourse puts forth a defence for the upgraded role of sexual orientation value for the acknowledgement of significant and participatory national advancement through proposing methods for advancing engaging both sexes for the equivalent.
In their examination in India, Chattopadhyay and Duflo (2015) broke down the impact of ladies' activity on strategy choices. 33% of all power spots of Village Councils in West Bengal were aimlessly picked to be held by a lady; however, nobody in these chambers picked ladies as the circumstantial heads. Utilising an informational index gathered from 165 town chambers, the examination thought about the sort of open products given in holding an open town board. The disclosures showed that ladies put more structures appropriate to the prerequisites of rural women (fuel, water, and roads), while men put more effort into preparing. Further, it was found that women will undoubtedly adopt part in the strategymaking measure if the head of their town committee is a woman.
Women's insignificant situation as an expert in public and neighbourhood political circles send a veritable worry throughout the planet. The Commonwealth Gender Plan of Action for Gender Equality (2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015) urged governments to come up with measures that ensured at least 30% representation of women is achieved in parliament, government, and business. The effect of women's political leadership on democracy and development depicts the limits to ladies' political speculation and explains why the responsibility of ladies is so significant to the dominant part administers framework. It recognised to set up strategies constituent change (New Zealand), adamant party amounts (South Africa), and managerial bits (Bangladesh and India) that have assisted these Commonwealth countries with meeting the overall focal point representation of 30% and in this manner to suitably push the support of ladies being created and essential authority at all measurements (Chowdhury et al., 2013).
182 | This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License participation. The examination uncovered that political participation enables women to address some of their fundamental issues and the community's needs, as well as guarantees the receptiveness, responsibility, genuine battle against rent-seeking, political administration, political duty, and political responsiveness of the current national, and regional, districts and local levels. The investigation reasoned that the facts demonstrate that the greater% of the total populace is women. However, they need access to basic political leadership when contrasted with their partners at all dimensions of government. Women's equivalent support in leadership and government is not just an interest for majority rules system or equity; however, it is an important pre-condition on the interests of women so as to be put into consideration.
Women's participation in Zimbabwean Politics and the mirage of gender equity was an examination done by Muhenzi (2014). The examination contended that the difference between genuine and apparent substances in connection with the investment of women in politics is not unintentional, yet it is formed on a foundation and determined by a move by politically overwhelming males when they need to open the political space when it is beneficial to them. Drawing models from various political players, it was discovered that women's participation in issues of politics receives greater control than an authentic endeavour to enhance sexual orientation balance and value. This influences the participation of women being developed. It was likewise contended that while there have been efforts to realise equality in terms of numbers, there is an unreasonable impediment against women curtailing them from moving up the political ladder. This influences their participation in development.
In Rwanda, Elgie (2017) did an examination of the impact of expanded women's representation in parliament. In light of up close and personal meetings with women delegates in the Rwandan parliament, it was set up that in Rwanda, women agents thought about themselves to have a more noteworthy concern with grassroots politics. As far as the strategy plan, it was discovered that women's issues are currently raised more effortlessly and more frequently than previously, and there has been a solid backing of worldwide woman's rights by numerous delegates. In any case, expanded women's representation has had little effect on policy.
Pathak and Macours (2016) considered women's political reservation, youth advancement and learning in India. The analysts separated the long-stretch effects of reservation of neighbourhood women's political seats on kids learning and fortifying the outcomes in Andhra Pradesh, India. Utilising the sporadic upheaval of seats set aside for ladies over different choice cycles and three rounds of a board dataset, the effect of the prologue on a political reservation in the midst of essential periods in youth was explored. The examination showed that the booking game plan for pioneer females greatly impacted learning right from grade school when kids were introduced to a reservation in utero and the first thing for the duration of regular day-to-day existence.
Chitere (2013) examined the impact of the new Kenyan constitution in influencing more women to vie for the national assembly seats, considering women elected in Nairobi County. The investigation found that the two-third gender rule affected women as they strove to be elected in the general election. It was additionally settled that equivalent treatment and openings among men and women had prompted receiving of financial benefits based on merit, enhancement of personal satisfaction, and the appointive and political procedures. The investigation prescribed that the government ought to be focused on enabling women to compete for political positions. Further, the examination ought to be focused on the decrease of imbalance among people. The examination prescribed that the administration and in addition, other law requirement bodies ought to guarantee that men and women are dealt with similarly in wording crucial human rights and opportunities from segregation. Orisadare (2018) assessed the role of women groups in promoting the political participation of women and their contribution to economic development in Nigeria. The examination was completed utilising essential information from gatherings and discoursed inside ladies' gatherings, comprising thirty (30) individuals from ten (10) neighbourhood government regions in Osun state, Nigeria. Moreover, explorative techniques utilising existing writings were utilised. Discoveries from the examination show that women's gatherings lacked a political plan; generally, their objectives did not line up with any political plan, in spite of the fact that their individuals acknowledge arrangements and furthermore appreciate government support. The findings further revealed that there existed a high level of ignorance among the individuals who attended the women's gatherings, and a large portion of the women was unaware of the National or International sex uniformity laws or governmental policies regarding minorities in society. Hence, it is hard to partake in governmental issues and contribute effectively to policy-driven frameworks. The examiner reasoned that the current attendance of women's gatherings at the grass root level might not guarantee to empower more women's investment in governmental issues and in impacting financial turn of events.
A study done by Karuru (2018) focused on the factors affecting the political participation of women in the Kibera division, Nairobi. A sum of 154 respondents was purposively chosen and met for the examination. Library research was likewise done to enhance essential information sources. Information inspired by respondents was electronically examined utilising the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The discoveries of the examination showed that, despite the fact that women establish about 52.2% of the populace and form the lion's share of the citizens, they have not been able to partake completely in the electoral process.
The factors impacting the political participation of women in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region were investigated (Mlambo & Kapingura, 2019). The investigation used the 30% normal lady interest as portrayed by the Protocol on Gender and Development of 2008. The investigation contends that full and equivalent cooperation of the two ladies and men in the political dynamic gives an equilibrium that all the more precisely mirrors the organisation of society and as such improves the authenticity of political cycles by making them more equitable and receptive to the worries and points of view of all sections of society. In view of the pooled ordinary least squares and Gaussian mixture model dynamic board of Blundell and Blond (1998) on the 14 SADC nations for the period between 2010-2017, the discoveries showed that work support, government's working, the culture of politics, the, generally speaking, political investment positively affect the ladies' political cooperation. Moreover, the findings indicated that pluralism, common freedoms, human improvement list and constituent cycle negatively impact ladies' political investment. The investigation suggested that administrations within the SADC areas ought to draw in political players, particularly ideological groups, to guarantee the inclusion of more women in their political designs. Wanjiru (2019) studied the media's contribution towards the progress of the political participation of women with an emphasis on the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK). The examination was completed on a gathering of women who have partaken in AMWIK programs. Explicitly 23 women were met, and an examination was done to build up whether the media and common society have assumed any part in affecting the demeanour towards women in political administration. The women were chosen to utilise an amount of examining where a segment of the objective gathering was brought up. The members came from bunches that have taken an interest in AMWIK programs and the area for the most part the Eastlands space of Nairobi. The exploration discoveries of this contextual investigation were found through controlling semi-organised surveys and conversational meetings of little gatherings to acquire both quantitative and subjective information. The discoveries of this investigation showed that women know about the job and their common commitment to the general public yet are substantially more diverted by close-to-home and individual commitments to have the option to partake in dynamic governmental issues.
The studies focused on female political participation, women's leadership, gender equity and the influence of the new constitution on women having more positions in government. The study looked at these issues in areas where women know their rights and have enough information on the new constitution. This is very different from an area such as Turkana County, where most women do not know their rights and those who declare their political ambition are subjected to abuse and violence. Hence, there was a need for an indepth examination of how politics affected the participation of women in development in Turkana Central Sub County.

Figure 1: Conceptual Framework
As shown in figure 1, the study conceptualises an independent variable; political factors with indicators such as male dominance in politics, a third-gender rule and few female leaders in the political scene. These are individually expected to affect women's participation in social development.

Research Design
This examination utilised a descriptive survey design. A descriptive survey design was utilised in fundamental and exploratory examinations to Women's Participation to Social Development

Political Factors
a. Male dominance in politics b. A third gender rule c. Few female leaders permit the researcher to assemble data, sum up, introduce, and decipher the investigation discoveries. Cohen and Manion (2003) note that descriptive study research is proposed to deliver factual data about parts of the training that interest strategy producers and organisers. The decision of the descriptive survey design was made dependent on the way that in this investigation, the analyst was keen on the situation previously existing in the field, and no factor was controlled.

Target Population
A researcher's target population consists of all the individuals, events, or objects to which he or she desires to generalise the conclusions of the study (Kothari, 2004

Sample Size and Sampling Techniques
The study sample was statistically calculated. The population of the women's registered organisations in Turkana Central is 630 (study population), which is cumulative in Kang'atotha, Kerio Delta, Lodwar township, Kalokol and Kanamkemer wards of Turkana Central Sub County (UN-Habitat, 2021). Using the confidence level of 95%, the margin of error of 2% and the population proportion of 50%, a sampling frame of 500 was arrived at. Using a random selection of numbers in the interval of 5, the sample size obtained was 98, who became the study respondents.

Data Collection Instrument
The study used primary data which basically involved creating "new" data (Orodho, 2009). The influence of women's participation in social development was gathered from womenregistered organisations using structured questionnaires. Questionnaires were divided into five sections: social-cultural practices, politics, education level, the influence of the mass media, and women's engagement in social development. A five-point Likert scale was utilised to measure respondents' perceptions.

Data Collection Procedure
The research began after the researcher obtained a research authorisation from the National Commission for Science, Technology, and Innovation (NACOSTI) through the Director Graduate School, Masinde Muliro University. Through their local leaders, pastoralist women in the area were informed of the planned study. Following that, the researcher performed the required preparations for the actual exercise. The researcher administered questionnaires individually to all respondents of the study. Questionnaires were administered using a drop-and-pick-later method.

Data Analysis Techniques and procedures
The data obtained were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Analysis was aided by Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 24.0 software. Descriptive statistics included percentages, mean and standard deviation. To establish the relationship between the variables, a regression model was used. The results presentation was in tables. Table 1 presents the descriptive statistics for the data used in the analysis. Looking at the mean values, all the statements scored a mean of above three, meaning that the respondents agreed with all the statements concerning the effect of politics on the level of women's participation in development. The variations were mostly low therefore they did not substantially affect the mean values. The results revealed that politics affected the level of women's participation in development. The results imply that there is a significant number of women in politics even though males dominate.
The findings agree with those of Chitere (2013) who examined the role of the Kenyan new constitution in influencing women to strive for the national assembly seats. According to Chitere, the two-third gender rule influenced women to vie for political positions in the 2013 general election. It was additionally settled that equivalent treatment and openings among men and women had prompted receiving of financial benefits based on merit, enhancement of personal satisfaction, and elective and political procedures. The study findings also agree with that of Aluko (2015), who found out that the ability of Nigerian women to hold influential political positions and take part in basic leadership exercises can influence the country's advancement. The findings further corroborate with that of Liangxue Xu (2015), whose outcome demonstrated that as of late, female political participation encourages financial development in Asia.

Regression Analysis Results
Regression analysis and ANOVA analysis were conducted and the following findings were obtained. The results in Table 2 present the coefficient of correlation and coefficient of determinant. The model coefficient of determination was 0.209. This indicates that political factors explain the changes in women's participation in social development by up to 20.9%. The rest of the change (79.1%) is determined by other factors not included in this study model.

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
The study conducted an analysis of variance (ANOVA) in order to test the influence of politics on women's participation in social development in Turkana Central Sub-County, Kenya. The findings are shown in Table 3. The results of the findings in Table 3 revealed that at the level of significance 0.000 political factors were significant in predicting women's participation in social development (F=24.260, P<0.05). The study concurs with Karuru's (2018) study which examined the influence of political factors on the political participation of women in the Kibera division, Nairobi. The ANOVA results presented indicated that the regression equation was significant in explaining independent and dependent variable relationships. The results of the regression analysis shown in Table 5 were used to interpret the regression model as illustrated.

Coefficient of Regression Model
Y= β0 + β1X1 + ε Y= 9.671 + 0.659X1 + 2.934 (error term) It was revealed that in order for women's participation in social development. To increase by one unit, there must be an effect of 0.659 unit change in political factors while holding other factors which were not part of this study constant (β0 = 9.671). According to the results, it is evident that political factors had an influence on women's participation in social development. It is thus imperative for women to involve themselves in politics to influence their participation in social development.

Summary of the Study
The study attested that the political class considered the participation of women in social development. It was evidenced that women are considered politically equal to men. It was notable that there is male dominance in politics. It was also noted that there were women in community development projects that vied for elective positions. The study observed that the county assembly had fulfilled the affirmative action of the two-thirds gender rule. It was also established that women could make good politicians if given an opportunity.

Conclusion of the Study
The findings of the study conclude that politics influenced women's participation in social development. The study deduced that female political participation encourages development and that women are considered equal to men as far as politics is concerned. It was deduced that despite the male dominance in politics, There were women in the community development projects that vied for elective positions.

Recommendations of the Study
This study recommended that there was a need for development participation awareness to be done by private and governmental organisations in order to sensitise women on the importance of their participation in development projects. The investigation also suggests that public authority should give equivalent freedom to women and men regarding political space. The climate ought to be favourable for ladies to take part in political exercises.