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Who is Being Left Behind? Participatory Exclusion of Marginalized Groups in Kenya

Kenyatta, M.A. Gloria (2024): „Who is Being Left Behind? Participatory Exclusion of Marginalized Groups in Kenya“, in: Sexuality and Gender Studies Journal, 2 (1), 1-15.
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Kurze Beschreibung / Abstract:

People’s participation is part of participatory democracy and development thinking. Recent administrations  are  increasingly embracing this concept in their governance processes. Therefore, it is essential to assess theirperformance  and  the  participation levels  of  the  more  disadvantaged  groups. Based on extensive fieldwork undertaken in two devolved governments in Kenya in 2022 and secondary documentation analysis, this paper demonstrates how public administrations can exclude significant segments of society (marginalized  groups)  from  participation  in governance processes, such as women who are  the majority but placed low on the social structures due to the deep-rooted patriarchal  norms.  It also provides  the  constitutional provisions that  support  and protect these marginalized groups in Kenya. Further, through qualitative  analysis, it maps major promoters  of participatory exclusion  in  government  activities, which include lack  of  information, inaccessibility of participating  sites,  and societal norms. 

Finally, the paper acknowledges that despite Article 27  of the Constitution  of  Kenya,  2010,  shielding  parity and  liberty  from discrimination of all persons, social exclusions promote discrimination and negate  the  efforts  towards  equal participation  and  inclusive  development. Therefore, there is a need for the administrations to deliberately include disadvantaged groups such as women,  youth,  people  living  with  disabilities (PWDs), and the agedin governance processes and enforce laws that promote participatory democracy. 

Erscheinungsdatum:
Forschungsbereich: Governance als Aushandlungsprozess
Sprache: English
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