The Kenyan’s Voice: Women & CDF

To what extent are women represented in the management of CDF?

The Constituencies Development Fund (CDF) is one of the many development initiatives being undertaken by the government to address poverty in the country. The main purpose of the fund is to ensure that a specific portion of the Annual Government Ordinary Revenue is devoted to the Constituencies for purposes of development and in particular in the fight against poverty at the constituency level.

The open secret about overty in Africa is that it has a woman's face.  Poverty has various manifestations, including lack of income and productive resources sufficient to ensure a sustainable livelihood; hunger and malnutrition; ill health; limited or lack of access to education and other basic services; increasing morbidity and mortality from illness; homelessness and inadequate housing; unsafe environments; and social discrimination and exclusion. It is also characterized by lack of participation in decision-making and in civil, social and cultural life.   If women are not participating effectively in the management of CDF, there voice will not be heard, there issues will not be addressed and therefore they cannot detach themselves from the poverty that CDF promises to curtail.

While there is an overwhelming concern that women are poorly represented (64%) in the management of Community Development Fund, more men than women were of the opinion that women are well represented.

To What Extent Are Women Represented in Development Committees for Schools. Dispensaries, CDF, LATF at the Constituency Level?