Examination of the Institutional Human Resource Establishment and Its Effect on Gender Mainstreaming in Universities in Kenya

Adhola Grace Achieng, Caleen Nyamwange & George Nyandoro
Kisii University, Kenya
Email: achieng4326@gmail.com

Abstract: Despite enormous development progress and a plethora ofknowledge on gender mainstreaming, assessments and evaluations demonstrate a significant gap in implementation, probably due to implementation-related issues. The purpose of the study was to examine the institutional human resource establishment towards gender mainstreaming in selected Universities in Kenya. The descriptive survey design was used on a sample of 371 respondents from four of the 37 targeted Kenyan public universities. Vice Chancellors, Deputy Vice Chancellors; Academics, Planning and Finance, Head of Procurement, Planning, Registrar Academics, Registrar Finance, Registrar Student Affairs, Registrar Sports and Games, Head of Departments, Deans of Students, Gender Department Chairpersons, and University Counselors were sampled using stratified, simple random and purposive sampling. The researcher consulted with the supervisors to guarantee the content validity of the research tools. The study used ‘split-halves’ and ‘internal consistency’ methods to measure reliability. The Key Informant Interview responses were reviewed, categorized, and presented in tables, pie charts, and graphs using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. The results were given in the form of frequency tables, percentages, and narration. The relationship between the variables was tested using Pearson’s Correlation and Multiple Linear Regression. The findings are expected to be useful in developing newer strategies for implementing gender mainstreaming, raising awareness through public seminars and workshops, providing new knowledge to scholars for research and library use, and serving as a guide for policymakers on key gender mainstreaming strategies, among other things.