Gender parity in post production management of the small holder tea sub sector in imenti south, kenya

A study was conducted to compare gender representation in the smallholder tea post production management in Imenti South District, Kenya, involving three smallholder tea factory companies, 150 public tea buying centers, and a tea growers’ Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO). There were a gender significant (p≤0.05) differences in the recruitment of factory directors, senior management staff, technical and skilled staff, and unskilled staff, all to the disadvantage of women. There was no significant (p≤0.05) difference for the factory office staff cadre. Women were underrepresented in all categories of tea buying center committee members. There was no woman chairperson out of the 150 tea buying center chairpersons. Women were also unrepresented in the management committee (Board of Directors) and the senior management categories of the tea growers’ SACCO. Gender balance was however fair in the SACCO when the entire establishment was considered. There were no significant (p≤0.05) differences among the factories. It was concluded that women were disadvantaged and the situation required redress through specific policy interventions.