Womens Access to and Control over the 5 Forms of Capital in Machakos Town Sub-County, Kenya

Angela Adhiambo Opondoh, Dr. Geoffrey Muga, Catherine Kaluwa, Jemimah Oduma, Brigitte Bagnol, Faduma Abdulahi Abdirahman, Kitoga Byalungwa Kyotos, Jeanette Nkatha Mbobua, John Muchibi, Beth Miller, Meghan Stanley, Marieke Rosenbaum, Janetrix H. Amuguni

Abstract: This mixed-methods study examines female small livestock owners five forms of capital (personal, human, social, financial, and physical) in Kola and Kalama wards of Machakos Town sub-county, Kenya. Based on analysis of 39 individual interviews and 3 focus group discussions we analyze how the complex and dynamic position of smallholder women farmers at the household and community level is influenced by local culture and politics. Gender intersects with ethnicity, age, socio-economic status, education, and marital status to create patterns of disadvantage and marginalization from resources including decision-making. Men use all forms of violence to control most forms of capital. The only forms of capital which women have some control over are physical capital (small livestock such as chickens, goats) and social capital (groups, networks).Strategically, these women have developed code of conduct and that uses their strong social capital to achieve their goals. Womens groups provide opportunities for women to increase their power in their households and in their communities and social networks can be targeted for interventional research aimed at increasing access to livestock vaccines and veterinary services.

Keywords: womens groups, livestock vaccines, veterinary services, gender intersectionality, marginalization, social capital