Adoption and Outcomes of Gender-Specific Protective Legislation Among Smallholder Farmers in Kenya: A Qualitative Study

Gender-specific protective legislation has been introduced in Kenya to address gender inequalities among smallholder farmers. Previous studies have highlighted these measures' potential benefits but lack detailed insights into their actual implementation and impact. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of male and female smallholder farmers. The analysis focused on themes related to legislation implementation, farmer perceptions, and socio-economic impacts. Interviews revealed that while initial adoption rates were relatively high (75% of respondents), consistent enforcement faced significant challenges (e.g., lack of resources and legal support). Despite initial optimism, the sustainable impact of gender-specific protective legislation among smallholder farmers in Kenya remains uncertain. Further research should investigate long-term effects and potential policy interventions to enhance legislative effectiveness.