Gender, Resources, and Local Institutions: New Identities for Kenya’s Rural Women

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Gender, Resources, and Local Institutions: New Identities for Kenya’s Rural Women
Barbara Thomas centered her work on gender, resources and local institutions based on new identities for Kenya’s rural women. She argued that women are starting to redefine their personalities, roles, and the connotation of gender. The method entails reinforcing their logic of human agency through individual and collective feat with an emphasis on collaboration, struggle, and confrontation. On the same note, she alleged that in Kenya, women are progressively engaged in both activities to manage and enlarge resources, and in political and other social actions in the society. Therefore, this has led to the revival of traditional establishments and a creation of new formal edifices that are aimed at ensuring the survival of families in the periods of natural and pecuniary challenges.
The author explored the theme of economic and ecological struggles and its implication on the issue of gender in Kenya and other countries in Africa. She claimed that the idea is necessary on the view of nature on the roles played by both women and men (Thomas, 10). Barbara asserts that at the local level, organizations are beginning to seek equitable development across classes, ethnic groups, gender, and generations. Barbara noted that the augmented engrossment of women is leading to a new logic of action, liberation and a formation of new acuities on the roles played by ladies.

Many females are participating in groups and organizations so as to make the society hear their voice and enhance gender equality in the society.
Thomas touched on the theme of gendered space on resources, livelihoods, and the state. She noted that the critical roles of women in agricultural practices, countryside income arrangements, and the management of natural resources have made many women to be involved in the communal association and led to the shifting dealings of females to the nation (Thomas, 11). The research notes that communal politics and the relations between the state and the society appear different when viewed from the gender outlook. Similarly, she alleged that the access of females to the state activities is different when compared to that of men to the state. Therefore, this makes gender to be an important element to a nation in state formation, political participation, and resource allocation.
Similarly, the author touched on the theme of gender and designing the future through building local capacities. She claimed that there is a grave concern about the fate of the world’s environment and the links between declining ecosystems, degraded resources, and the upsurge on poverty (Thomas, 18). Thus, this shows that many researchers strive to comprehend the relationship between resource management and food production as well as the ecological issues on water, soils, forests and land use. Their principal aim is to view the critical impact that these factors pose to food production and rural livelihood systems. Therefore, the grasp of the role of gender in these local level processes is significant in the contemporary world.
Barbara’s reading depicts some connections that are in some other readings. Schofield and Goodwin claimed that women had started showing interest in politics and participating in policy making in the society as they pushed for prospects of advancing gender equality (Schofield & Goodwin, 33). Therefore, this portrays a correlation to Barbara’s work that touched on the participation of Kenyan women in politics and decision-making in their nation.
Barbara’s work missed touching on violence and discrimination that different group of women who participate in policy making encounter in their daily activities. The men do not value the decisions made by women as they are taken as inferior species by the African traditions that are still applicable in many African nations (Elson, 211). Similarly, the author made different assumptions as she developed her writing. She alleged that many African countries are faced with squat levels of economic output, ecological deprivation, and inadequate physical and social infrastructure. Similarly, the author assumed that a new generation is emerging in Africa that is entering into the political scene with new viewpoints in comparison with the outgoing cohort of leaders. The assumptions relate to an article that I read in the news that touched on the strategies that young African leaders are applying to grow the economy of their nations and bring equality in power sharing across the two genders.
Barbara’s reading has a correlation to development of Africa countries regarding the political, social and economic perspectives. The participation of women in policy-making and other policy decisions brings in new ideas that could not have been realized in the traditional society that was male dominated. Thus, this makes me think that women are special assets in the development of the society and in making the nation attain its economic goals. On the same note, I think the participation of women in different fields will help in reducing the poverty level in the Kenyan societies and other nations across Africa.
Barbara applies the usage of analytical writing and research approach in conveying her message on her selected topic. The tactic helped her present a variety of viewpoints on the subject without coming up with any opinions. Therefore, this helps her readers to get access to the required information and allowing them to make their deductions.

Work Cited
Elson, Diane. “Gender And The Global Economic Crisis In Developing Countries: A Framework For Analysis”. Gender & Development 18.2 (2010): 201-212. Web.Schofield, Toni and Susan Goodwin. “Gender Politics And Public Policy Making: Prospects For Advancing Gender Equality”. Policy and Society 24.4 (2005): 25-44. Web.Thomas, Barbara. “Gender, Resources And Local Institutions: New Identities For Kenya’S Rural Women”. 8-23. Print.