Compliance with gender equality laws in leadership: An assessment of selected churches in Nairobi
Keywords:
compliance, discrimination, gender equality, law, leadershipAbstract
Gender inequality has been a problem the world over for many years. Notably, since the 1950s onwards, there
has been tremendous change in the international, regional, and local arena following feminist advocacy
for gender equality and anti-discrimination against women with treaties and laws being enacted
towards this end. However, the church has been lagging as it generally excludes women in decisionmaking and senior leadership positions. This study sought to assess the compliance of selected churches in Nairobi with gender equality laws in regards to ascension to top church leadership by women. The study used a mixed-method research design in which both qualitative and quantitative research was undertaken. The researcher sampled 60 women church leaders and 14 Bible students from two
universities using the convenience and purposive sampling methods, respectively. Data were analyzed
using descriptive techniques for quantitative data and constant comparative methods for qualitative
data. Presentations were done in tables, figures, and charts. The study established that there is
discrimination against women in the churches and that they are relegated to service roles while senior
positions are reserved for men. The selected churches were not in total compliance with gender equality
laws. This is caused by the patriarchal African culture which has seeped into the church as well as
misinterpretation of some scriptures. To solve this problem, the church should in addition to employing
affirmative policies and action in line with gender equality laws, also teach gender equality as a biblical
norm.
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