Gender Equity in Education Development in Kenya and the New Constitution for Vision 2030

Abstract

Gender equity is the impartial treatment of women and men so as to ensure equal enjoyment of privileges and rights allotted to members of either gender. In Kenyan society, this has been a controversial subject since the country earned its independence. The subject is continually quelled by challenges and hindrances that not only make it difficult for the nation to make greater strides on its way to achieve gender equity but also continue to restrict the country’s development whether in the political, social or economic spheres as envisioned in the country’s economic growth blueprint dubbed Kenya Vision 2030. These challenges include traditional and cultural practices, rapid population growth, religion, poverty, disease and so on. Despite the aforementioned challenges, the country has still made enormous progress in trying to achieve gender equity in all sectors including education development and this is due to various efforts made by all stakeholders towards addressing the many gender issues and concerns experienced in the country. Among the progressive initiatives in this regard is the promulgation of the country’s new constitution whose set of laws are aligned towards promoting gender equity and the incorporation of the country’s economic growth strategic plan Vision 2030 which recognizes the achievement of gender equity and equality as an important component to driving economic development.