ABSTRACT

There has been a lot of debate on the relations between women and environment. Feminists have focused this debate on analyzing women's use, conservation and management of natural resources. The main aim of our study was to look at the dimensions between men and women in the management of quarries in Juja Location of Thika West district. We looked at the main gender dimensions in quarrying in Thika in terms of employment, management and ownership. We established the challenges that men and women face in quarrying in Thika district. The study also set to find out the coping mechanisms that men and women put in place to deal with these challenges and has recommended measures for redress in the quarrying sector. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used where descriptive survey was applied. The study population comprised of both adult men and women in Thika district involved in one way or the other in quarrying. The researcher used cluster sampling to classify the subjects into male and female in order to ensure equal gender representation. The researcher used questionnaires, observation tips and interview guides to collect data and analysed using Statistical Programme for Social Scientists (SPPS). The findings were presented using simple statistics using graphs, charts, tables and percentages, and narration. Based on these findings, discussions, conclusions and recommendations were made to demystify gender disparities in natural resources management in Juja location. The study brought out gender dimensions in quarrying. It also provided literature on a critical feminist perspective on gender relations and natural resource management in the context of contemporary policy concerns.