Informal Learning and Literacy among Maasai Women: Education, Emancipation and Empowerment

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Informal Learning and Literacy among Maasai Women highlights the importance and role of informal education in the emancipation and development of Maasai village women in Kenya. At present, knowledge and research on the impact of informal learning and literacy on community development is limited, and there is a gap between policy level discussions and women’s lived experiences. Using a postcolonial feminist framework, this book sets out to examine linkages between informal learning and literacy, human development and gender inequality. Despite improvements in recent years, access to traditional education remains restricted for many women in rural communities across Kenya. Takayangi’s book is the first to introduce how Maasai village women utilise informal learning and literacy for collective empowerment as well as to sustain their own well-being and that of their families. It presents the perspectives of both local women and institutions and argues that women’s learning is most effective when located within their own socio-cultural and political discourses, and when their voices are listened to and heard. This ethnographic research study is a valuable resource that will contribute to the knowledge of literacy from both theoretical and practical perspectives. It is an essential read for those studying or researching information education, development studies and gender, or education, as well as for teachers, community leaders and aid workers. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents List of Illustrations Figures Map Table Foreword Informal learning and international development Indigenous learning References Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Glossary Introduction: exploring the notion of informal learning and literacy from a Maasai woman’s perspective References 1 Postcolonial feminist theory Introduction Postcolonial theory Postcolonial feminism Conclusion References 2 Women’s informal learning and empowerment in the context of development Introduction Informal learning and adult literacy in development Women’s informal learning in Africa Literacy and the impact of literacy on women’s well-being New literacies: literacy from a socio-cultural perspective Women’s empowerment and agency in international development Conclusion References 3 Using an ethnographic research framework Introduction Feminist research Womanism – African feminism? Establishing rapport and positioning myself Data collection in the field Data analysis Ethical considerations Conclusion Notes References 4 Socio-cultural background of the Maasai women in Kenya Introduction Historical background of Kenya after independence from Britain Government initiatives to improve education and people’s well-being Policy of adult and continuing education and women’s development in Kenya Maasai women’s situation in Narok County Conclusion Note References 5 Narratives and process observation of village women Introduction Background of the research site: the village where I stayed Narratives of village women Analysis and discussions of the village women’s narratives Village women’s voices on learning/literacy and well-being Process observation Conclusion Note References 6 Interview analysis of women’s group leaders and bureaucrats Introduction Narratives of women’s group leaders Analysis and discussions of the women’s group leaders’ narratives The impact of women’s group activities on well-being The concept of literacy from a women’s group leaders’ perspective Opinions about women’s situation in the community and overcoming women’s inequality Narratives of government and NGO officers Analysis and discussions of the government and NGO officers’ narratives The concept of literacy from a government officer’s perspective: how do they see ‘literacy’? Conclusion References 7 Conclusion Introduction Postcolonial feminist analysis: the significance of women’s voices Postcolonial feminist theory and informal learning and literacy in the context of international development Discussion and implications of the findings Women’s informal learning/literacy and its impact on improving their well-being Women’s roles in improving well-being in their community Women in Narok: changes in agency through the process of empowerment Recommendations to the government, aid agencies, NGOs and future researchers Directions for future research Conclusion References Index