GENDER DIMENSIONS IN DROPOUT RATES AT SECONDARY SCHOOL IN SIAYA COUNTY, WESTERN KENYA ALICE AUMA OCHANDA A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE INSTITUTE OF ANTHROPOLOGY, GENDER AND AFRICAN STUDIES IN FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN ANTHROPOLOGY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI 2014 DECLARATION This thesis is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other university. Signature:_______________________ Date:__________________ Alice Auma Ochanda This thesis has been submitted for examination with my approval as the University Supervisor. Signature:_________________________ Date:___________________ Prof. Simiyu Wandibba DEDICATION This work is dedicated to the three most important people in my life – my very supportive husband Horace, and children Louise and Eddie. Your encouragement, love, perseverance and prayers gave me the energy to soldier on. You will forever remain God’s special gift to mummy. Thank you for your understanding, and very valuable support. TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables .................................................................................................................................... v List of Maps and Figures ................................................................................................................. vi Acknowledgement ........................................................................................................................ viii Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... ix Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................... x CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY ........................................................................ 1 1.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem ........................................................................................................ 5 1.3 Objectives of the Study ............................................................................................................. 7 1.3.1 General Objective .................................................................................................................. 7 1.3.2 Specific Objectives ................................................................................................................. 7 1.4 Assumptions of the Study ......................................................................................................... 8 1.5 Justification of the Study .......................................................................................................... 8 1.6 Scope of the Study .................................................................................................................. 10 1.7 Limitations of the Study .......................................................................................................... 10 1.8 Definition of Terms ................................................................................................................. 11 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ......................................................................................... 13 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 13 2.2 Literature Review .................................................................................................................... 13 2.2.1 Gender Stereotypes and Norms .......................................................................................... 13 2.2.2 Poverty ................................................................................................................................. 16 i 2.2.3 School and Home Environments.......................................................................................... 24 2.2.3.1 The School Environment ................................................................................................... 24 2.2.3.2 The Home Environment .................................................................................................... 29 2.2.4 Pregnancy ............................................................................................................................. 34 2.2.5 Gaps in Literature ................................................................................................................ 34 2.3 Theoretical Framework ........................................................................................................... 36 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................ 39 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 39 3.2 Research Site ........................................................................................................................... 39 3.2.1 Location ................................................................................................................................ 39 3.2.2 Physical and Demographic Features .................................................................................... 41 3.2.3 Socialization of Children in the Luo Community .................................................................. 42 3.2.4 Economic Activities .............................................................................................................. 45 3.2.5 Educational Facilities............................................................................................................ 46 3.2.6 Health Facilities .................................................................................................................... 47 3.2.7 Water and Sanitation ........................................................................................................... 48 3.2.8 Gender Equality Index .......................................................................................................... 49 3.3 Research Design ...................................................................................................................... 49 3.4 Study Population ..................................................................................................................... 50 3.5 Sample Population .................................................................................................................. 50 3.6 Data Collection Methods ........................................................................................................ 51 3.6.1 Structured Interviews .......................................................................................................... 51 ii 3.6.2 Observation .......................................................................................................................... 51 3.6.3 Key Informant Interviews .................................................................................................... 52 3.6.4 Narratives ............................................................................................................................. 52 3.6.5 Secondary Sources of Data .................................................................................................. 53 3.6.6 Content Analysis .................................................................................................................. 53 3.6.7 Data Processing and Analysis ............................................................................................... 53 3.6.8 Ethical Considerations.......................................................................................................... 54 CHAPTER FOUR: REASONS FOR DROPOUT RATE IN SECONDARY LEVEL EDUCATION IN SIAYA COUNTY ................................................................................................................ …..55 4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 55 4.2 Socio-demographic Characteristics of the Respondents ........................................................ 55 4.2.1 Age and Gender of the Respondents ................................................................................... 55 4.2.2 Educational Level of the Respondents at the Time of dropping out of Secondary School ............................................................................................................................................ 57 4.2.3 Occupation of Respondents at the Time of the Interview .................................................. 58 4.3 Gender Stereotypes and Norms ............................................................................................. 61 4.4 Poverty .................................................................................................................................... 65 4.5 The School Environment ......................................................................................................... 71 4.6 The Home Environment .......................................................................................................... 78 4.7 Proposed Interventions for Curbing Secondary School dropout Rate in Siaya County.......... 88 CHAPTER FIVE: VOICES OF THE DROPOUTS 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