Participation of women in the blue economy value chain at Kilifi, Kenya

Abstract

Participation of women in the blue economy value chain in Kilifi County in Kenya was assessed based on household surveys and key informant interviews. A sample of 96 households from the coastal Malindi sub-county was selected based on cluster sampling. The most senior female in each household was interviewed, and an additional 10 women leaders from 10 self-help groups were interviewed as key informants.  Data from the household survey were analysed for mean, percentages and frequency while content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. Based on the interview data, 88.5 % of women worked in fish processing, 63.2 % in trading of fish products, 62 % in fish eateries, 18.4 % in fishponds, 23 % in solid waste management, and 20.7 % in mining.  Consequently, individual women participated in more than one activity, with a mean of 2.75 activities per woman. Work-related, cultural and economic challenges inhibited women's participation with mean responses of >3 on a 4-point Likert scale. Low levels of participation were observed in economic decision-making, access to information, ownership of productive resources, leadership positions and women's living conditions. Participation of women in the blue economy value chain should be prioritized in strategic decisions by government and stakeholders.