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News release

Kenyans want women to have equal chance of being elected, approve of government efforts to close gender gaps

23 Sep 2022 Kenya
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News release
Key findings
  • Almost nine out of 10 Kenyans (87%) say women should have the same chance as men of being elected to public office (Figure 1).
  • More than three-fourths (77%) of citizens say a female candidate and her family will probably gain standing in the community. But many also say she is likely to be criticised or harassed (53%) and to face problems with her family (40%) (Figure 2).
  • Seven in 10 Kenyans (72%) think women should have the same right as men to own and inherit land. But men are much less likely than women to believe in equality when it comes to land (59% vs. 84%) (Figure 5).
  • More than six in 10 Kenyans (62%) say the government is performing “fairly well” or “very well” in promoting equal rights and opportunities for women. Approval of the government’s performance is less widespread among women (58%), citizens with no formal education (50%), and the poorest respondents (55%) (Figure 6).

An overwhelming majority of Kenyans say women should have the same chance as men of being elected to public office, rejecting the idea that men make better political leaders and should thus be given priority as candidates, the latest Afrobarometer survey shows.

But while most citizens believe that female candidates and their families will gain standing in the community, many also consider it likely that these women will be criticised or harassed.

The latest survey findings also highlight persistent gender gaps in Kenya, including less higher education and less financial autonomy among women compared to men.

About two-thirds of citizens say women should have the same right as men to own and inherit land.

Overall, Kenyans give the government a thumbs-\up on its efforts to promote gender equality.