EXPERIENCES OF WOMEN IN SPORTS LEADERSHIP IN KENYA by JANET MUSIMBI M’MBAHA (Under the Direction of Jepkorir, R. Chepyator-Thomson) ABSTRACT Research studies on women leaders have been on the increase over the last three decades. However research on African women in leadership is scarce. Specific to sport is that despite the exemplary performance of African women in sports over the last two decades, African women in sports leadership remain invisible. This study examined experiences of women in sport leadership in Kenya using social constructivism as the epistemological stance and feminism theoretical perspectives. Thirteen women leaders including physical educators, coaches, and sport administrators were selected from various sports organizations and education institutions in Kenya. These experiences were examined as they relate to their socialization, education and training, work and family lives, the challenges experienced, and how they are able to negotiate these in a male dominated world. The study builds on the 2004 International Olympic committee and Institute of Sport, Leisure Policy study on the women in National Olympic Committee (NOCs) from different nations around the world. This study highlighted important roles that women sports leaders play in the development of sports. It is hoped that the findings from the study will influence the national sports policy in Kenya, helping to create more opportunities for women and girls as participants and leaders in sport, operating in tandem with the “sport for all” mandate of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), whose purpose is to promote active lifestyles, and assisting in the crafting of legislative policy directives to augment promotion of women to position of leadership in sports. In addition, the study provides a new cultural dimension to the scholarship on women in sport leadership. INDEX WORDS: African Women, challenges, Feminism, leadership practice, Representation, Socialization, Social Constructivism, Sport Leadership EXPERIENCES OF WOMEN IN SPORTS LEADERSHIP IN KENYA by JANET MUSIMBI M’MBAHA Bachelor of Education, Kenyatta University, Kenya, 1993 Master of Education, Kenyatta University, Kenya, 2004 A Dissertation Research Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of The University of Georgia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY ATHENS, GEORGIA 2012 © 2012 Janet Musimbi M’mbaha All Rights Reserved EXPERIENCES OF WOMEN IN SPORTS LEADERSHIP IN KENYA by JANET MUSIMBI M’MBAHA Major Professor: Jepkorir R. Chepyator-Thomson Committee: Billy J. Hawkins Larry Nackerud Electronic Version Approved: Maureen Grasso Dean of the Graduate School The University of Georgia December 2012 DEDICATION To my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ishamael M’mbaha Adika, thank you for believing in “the power of education” and for starting me off on this academic journey. My victory is due to your vision, support, sacrifice, prayers and the constant love that you showed me, and continue to show me in my life journey To my children, Undisa, Vorega, and Luseno Kishasha, for the sacrifices that you had to make; for the days and months and years spent without me- my prayers are that you grow up to be seekers of knowledge- men and women that will have a positive change in this world. Always aspire to be the Best! iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Dr. Jepkorir Chepyator-Thomson, my mentor and advisor, thank you for challenging me to soar high like an eagle. Your multiple reads of my work is what made the final product – that which I am proud of. Dr. Billy Hawkins for your encouragement and kind words of advice reminding me that it is the challenges that make us better and stronger people. Dr. Nackerud, you always referred to it as your “two cents of advice.” This is a statement that challenged me to reflect deeply on the entire PhD process and my philosophy. Without your input I would not have made it through. Mrs. Gateere- a woman of faith and courage, a prayer warrior. Thank you for teaching me to pray. I have seen the hand of God at work; indeed we serve an Almighty God. Thank you for dedicating time to pray for me and my family. Charity- I will never forget that day at the State Botanical Garden… thank you because I believe God’s Mercies are forever. Mr. Emmanuel Satia, thank you for being one of “the bouncing boards” throughout this journey from the proposal stage to the final document and reader of the document. Dr. Njororai Simiyu my teacher and mentor, thank you for encouraging me throughout my academic journey. Mary Kigutu- a sister that came into my life in 1994, you are now part of my life; you are my sister and friend. You have loved my children like your own, you have cared for v them, you provided them with a shoulder to lean on and a home to go to when all seemed to be lost. I pray that the Good Lord will grant you your Heart’s desires. To my brothers and sisters for your constant love and support- you have taken a great burden off my shoulder. To my sister Joy, thank you for taking care of Bessie. I would like to acknowledge the women (PEO sisterhood) that have dedicated their lives to empowering women through education for the awarding me the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P. E. O.), International Peace Scholarship (IPS) award. My sincere gratitude to the University of Georgia’s Department of Kinesiology for the Soule Scholarship and for the Clifford Gray Lewis Scholarship awards for giving me peace of mind to concentrate on my studies. To all the women leaders in Kenya’s sports organizations that participated in this study. Thank you for letting me into your lives. Thank you for sharing your stories; your messages were inspiring, a show of courage that will inspire other women. It is from these stories that other generations will refer to in the future; it is your legacy to the world of sports, to the Kenyan women in sport. And to all my friends, Evans, Chiri, Edward and others whom I cannot mention individually, and to each person that I have had a chance to interact with, my life would have been empty without you. Thank you for enriching my life. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................................................v LIST OF TABLES ...........................................................................................................................x LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................... xi CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY .....................................1 Rationale for the Study ............................................................................................9 Significance of the Study .......................................................................................10 Problem Statement ................................................................................................10 Purpose of the Study ..............................................................................................11 Research Questions ................................................................................................11 Research Approach ...............................................................................................12 Researcher Assumptions ........................................................................................12 The Researcher.......................................................................................................13 Definitions of Terminology ...................................................................................16 List Abbreviations .................................................................................................17 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ..................................................................18 Women in Leadership ............................................................................................19 Women in Sports Administration and Physical Education leadership .................25 Current Status of Women in Sport Leadership Internationally ............................28 vii Making Changes through Legislation ...................................................................32 Kenyan Women in Sports ......................................................................................37 Research studies on women in Leadership ............................................................41 Career Paths and Progress ......................................................................................42 Women’s Leadership Practices ..............................................................................50 Challenges and Barriers for Women in Leadership ...............................................59 Navigating the Barriers ..........................................................................................72 Theoretical Framework ..........................................................................................78 3 METHODS .................................................................................................................88 The Purpose of the Study .......................................................................................88 Rationale for Using Qualitative Methods .............................................................86 The Research Location .........................................................................................90 Research Participants .............................................................................................90