CONSTRAINTS MASTERS’ STUDENTS FACE AS THEY MAKE THEIR CHOICE TO STUDY GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES AT THE MASTER’S LEVEL IN NAIROBI COUNTY

Abstract

Purpose: The study aimed at identifying constraints masters’students face as they make their choice to study gender and development studiesat the master’s level in Nairobi County.

Materials and methods: The study employed a case study design. Purposive sampling technique was used in selecting the respondents for the study. Interview guides and open ended questionnaires were the main data collection instruments for the research. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques guided by the research objectives and research questions were used to analyze data. Qualitative data was analyzed by use of themes and the coding technique while frequencies and percentages were used in the analysis of quantitative data that was collected.

Results: The study noted that the major constraint faced was the lack of adequate career supports. The men in the study had challenges in obtaining unbiased career information while women had access to this career information but said they still lacked of its comprehensive application. The researcher notedif sufficient career counsellors and mentors could be availed, men could benefit from in-depth explorations of their choice and women could familiarize themselves with the diverse application contexts of gender and development studies.

Recommendations: There should be awareness, sensitization and outreach programs by the university that discuss gender unresponsiveness during the choice-making process. Pre-career talks by role models who are in gender and development studies can help to create clarity as to what the students will experience once they choose gender and development studies.