Education Empowerment: Essential in Bridging Gender Gap in Labor Force Participation

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Gender gaps in terms of labor force participation, still exist in the world of work. This is despite Kenya being on the frontline to implement various national and international policies, aimed at bridging this gap. According to the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census, there is still a gap between men and women aged 15-34 years, in terms of labor force participation.

Participation in the labor market

Among the working youthful population of this age bracket, women form a higher percentage of those working as compared to men. Hence women in this age category, participate more in labor related activities than men.


In addition, among the youthful population of the same age group, seeking work or no work available, women form the smallest percentage, as compared to men, who seem to be actively looking for work or have no work. This further implies that more women are actively participating in labor force activities, as compared to men.
The general analysis here is that, there is still a gap in labor force participation, between youthful men and women of this age bracket. With more women being absorbed into the labor market as compared to men.

Youth not in Employment, Education or Training.

Among male and female youthful population of this age category, who are not in Employment, Education or Training nationally, women form the largest percentage as compared to men. This implies that most women in this age group, focus more on joining the labor market as compared to furthering their education, formal employment or training.


The proportion of women not in employment, education or training of the sampled age group, who have attained primary level of education is higher than that of men with the same level of education attainment. This implies that women in this age category, once they finish their primary level of education, are likely to discontinue learning, as compared to men who proceed to the next level of their studies.

The situation is directly proportional among women not in employment, education or training and who have attained secondary level of education. They form a higher percentage of youth not in employment, education or training as compared to men in the same age group, and who have attained the same level of secondary education. This implies that women in this age category, once they finish their high school studies, they either fail or only a few manage to further their studies to universities and colleges. Women with secondary education are also likely to join the labor market, once they finish their high school level education. As opposed to joining higher institutions of learning for further training and education.

The implication of this overall analysis is that, we may be having more youthful women of this age bracket working as compared to men, because of the failure of them to join higher levels of education. It's also likely that women in this age bracket, once they attain their primary level education, not all proceed to secondary schools, but opt to join the labor market. Those who proceed to secondary schools upon completion, fail to further their studies to universities and colleges. They most likely prefer to also venture into the labor market, other than joining higher institutions of learning such as technical institutions, universities and colleges. This could be due to lack of necessary support, such as lack of funds for them to further their studies.

In order to reduce the gender gap in labor force participation of youthful men and women of this active age bracket, we need to emphasise on the importance of education among youthful women. Other than most of them opting to venture into the labor market, they should aim to empower themselves through education first.

We also need to encourage more women upon completion of their primary education, to avoid joining the labor market. They should further enroll in secondary schools for their education advancement. Those who finish secondary schools should be encouraged to join technical institutions, colleges as well as campuses. This can be done through provision and allocation of more funds, aimed at boosting their education. Advocating more on the importance of education among women, will bridge the gender gap in terms of    labor force participation.




Media Personality| Freelance Broadcast and Multimedia Journalist| Social Media Manager| Blogger| Lover of Philosophy.

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