Influence of Socio-Cultural Factors on Female Trainees' Enrollment in Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technician Courses in Bomet County, Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya, technical fields are key for achieving the Vision 2030 which aims to transform Kenya into a middle-income country by promoting industrialization, technological innovation, and a skilled labor force. However, gender disparity in access to education and workplace participation remains a challenge in general and particularly in the subject areas of STEM. Socio-cultural barriers and stereotypes continue to hamper enrollment and retention in technical courses worldwide. In Bomet County, local perceptions further limit women’s aspirations in engineering. This study therefore assessed the influence of socio-cultural factors on female trainees' enrollment in electrical and electronics engineering technician courses in Bomet County, Kenya. The study employed descriptive research design, targeting 159 female trainees in electrical and electronics courses and the 5 principals of public technical training institutions in Bomet County. Data were gathered through primary sources (questionnaire and interviews). Respondents were sampled using simple random sampling. Pilot study was conducted to determine validity and reliability of Research instruments. Quantitative data was coded into SPSS version 26 and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics while qualitative data was analysed thematically. The findings indicated that parental education levels, chauvinistic attitudes, early marriages, teenage pregnancies and societal norms significantly impact female enrollment in TVET institutions. Further, results indicated that a negative between sociocultural factors and enrollment of female trainees’ (r=-.527, p=< 0.000). This implies that as negative socio-cultural factors become more prevalent, the enrollment of female trainees in technical courses decreases. To address low female enrollment in TVET courses, community sensitization, parental education, policies against early marriages, financial aid, promotion of female role model, and gender-sensitive learning environments are key strategies to challenge cultural stereotypes and support women in technical fields.