Childlessness among Agìkūyū Women in Rūaka, Kìambu County: Evolving Norms from Tradition to Contemporary Realities

Abstract

Among the Agìkūyū of Kenya, motherhood is a deeply ingrained cultural expectation, with childlessness—whether involuntary due to infertility or voluntary by choice—often leading to stigma, social exclusion, and even domestic violence or marital breakdown. Traditionally, a woman’s value has been closely tied to her ability to bear children, a belief further reinforced by the practice of rūraacio (bride wealth), which presumes fertility as part of the marital contract. The failure to conceive is frequently viewed as a violation of this expectation, exposing women to emotional and social vulnerability. However, contemporary influences such as formal education, urban living, Christianity, medical advancements, and shifting gender norms are beginning to reshape these rigid perceptions. Increasingly, childlessness is understood in more complex and diverse ways, including voluntary childlessness, delayed childbearing, and infertility caused by medical or socio-economic factors. These changes are gradually opening space for a broader recognition of reproductive autonomy and multiple expressions of womanhood. Using Cultural Adaptation Theory advanced by Berry (2005), this study examines how women in Rūaka, Kìambu County, navigate the tension between traditional and modern expectations. The theory emphasises how individuals and communities adapt to cultural shifts by negotiating evolving identities, behaviours, and values. This study uses a qualitative, descriptive approach to explore the experiences of childless Agìkūyū women in Rūaka, Kìambu County, focusing on three support groups. Data were gathered through participant observation, informal interviews, and document analysis, with attention to cultural, religious, and modern views on childlessness. Thirty women from diverse socio-economic backgrounds participated, selected through snowball sampling. Thematic analysis using NVivo software revealed key patterns, and ethical standards, including informed consent and confidentiality, were strictly followed. The study revealed that while cultural norms remain powerful, many women are actively redefining their roles beyond motherhood. The article proposes recommendations for addressing the issues faced by childless women, emphasising the need for legal reforms, the enhancement of public health education, improved access to reproductive healthcare, and a reimagining of cultural and religious narratives that often tie womanhood solely to motherhood. The study calls for a more compassionate and inclusive societal framework that acknowledges the diverse reproductive experiences of women and promotes gender equity.