Gender Roles and Labor Dynamics in Household Composting Practices in Ndeiya, Kiambu County, Kenya

Composting is an agroecological practice that is commonly adopted by small-scale farmers in different food systems. It not only aided in reduced reliance on chemical inputs, in improving soil health but also in waste management within households. The division of labor and task allocation for household members in the composting process was however often accompanied by traditional gender norms. This resulted in unequal distribution of roles and imbalanced agricultural productivity as a ripple effect. This study examined the gender roles and labor dynamics in household composting practices among small-scale farmers who adopted compost manure in Ndeiya, Kiambu County, Kenya. This research used key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and questionnaires to identify: specific gender-related responsibilities in composting activities; challenges associated with these roles; and implications for gender equity and agricultural productivity. The findings of this study indicated that men were more involved in physically demanding tasks like turning large compost heaps and pushing wheelbarrows carrying compost manure to the farm. In the same vein, women were overburdened with tasks that demanded much of their time, such as gathering raw materials and daily compost management. The cumulative workload on women often led to reduced efficiency in the composting process and, by extension, impacted soil quality and crop yield negatively. These roles also not only reflected but also reinforced gender inequities in household and agricultural labor. This highlighted the need for equitable labor distribution at the household level.