Effects of Road Construction Projects on Gender Based Violence: A Case of Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project

Abstract

This study addressed the persistent issue of gender-based violence (GBV) in Kenya, with a particular focus on its intensification in the context of large-scale infrastructure initiatives. The Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP), a significant road construction effort spanning Isiolo, Garba Tulla, and Modogashe, was found to heighten the vulnerability of women and girls to GBV in affected communities. Despite growing concern, limited empirical evidence previously existed on the mechanisms and forms of GBV in such development contexts. The primary objective of the study was to examine how labour influx, community displacement, and economic disruption resulting from road construction influenced both the prevalence and nature of GBV, while also identifying effective mitigation strategies. The research was anchored in Gender and Development (GAD) Theory, complemented by Intersectional and Feminist perspectives, which conceptualized GBV as a product of overlapping social, structural, and economic pressures intensified by infrastructure expansion. A mixed-methods cross-sectional design was employed, targeting women and girls within the HoAGDP corridor. From an estimated population of 53,000, a sample of 156 respondents was proportionally selected. Quantitative data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews with community members and key informants were examined through thematic analysis. Reliability of instruments was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha, and ethical standards, including informed consent, confidentiality, and cultural sensitivity, were strictly observed. The findings revealed that the influx of road construction workers significantly increased the risk of GBV, with 40% of respondents strongly agreeing that the labour influx heightened community vulnerability. Approximately 43% reported having witnessed or heard about more cases of sexual harassment and related abuses since construction began. Respondents also highlighted adverse effects on community well-being and security, with domestic violence, sexual exploitation, and economic abuse emerging as recurrent themes. Gaps in policy enforcement and limited community awareness further compounded the problem. Nonetheless, the majority (52%) of participants agreed that community awareness programs and strengthened support services could reduce GBV in road construction areas. The study concluded that road construction projects, while critical for economic growth, inadvertently created social vulnerabilities that disproportionately affected women and girls. It recommended the integration of gender-sensitive planning in infrastructure projects, the establishment of localized awareness and reporting mechanisms, and the strengthening of institutional frameworks for GBV prevention and response.