Women Participation in Agricultural Marketing Co-operative Societies

Abstract

Rural women play a significant role in domestic and socio-economic life of the society such that national development is not possible without developing this important and substantial segment of our society. This paper examined the participation of women in agriculture marketing cooperative development activities. According to data collected it was discovered that the socio-economic characteristics of the women farmers significantly affect participation of women in agriculture marketing cooperative development in Marangu East and Mwika. However, other factors militating against women in their participation in agricultural production are many, some of which are sociocultural and economic in nature. The findings in this study indicate that though women contribute much of the labour in agriculture marketing cooperative development, they are constrained in terms of access and control over productive resources.' These constraints are perpetuated by inequalities that are constructed by societal norms that rigidly embrace male dominance. The study further reveals that policies to reduce inequalities face implementation challenges due to institutions that are guided by these male dominated norms. Women's participation is revealed to be an important dimension towards poverty reduction which is the first millennium development goal. This is the case because agriculture is one of the major strategies towards achieving the goal and women's contribution basing on their participation cannot be overlooked.