Background The concept of gender responsive delivery of government services may be defined as a holistic effort to include women in need identification, design, implementation and evaluation of all government activities and development interventions. Gender responsive service delivery involves three key components: 1) deliberate efforts to identify historical, socio cultural and economic factors that contribute to the marginalization and exclusion of women; 2) involving both women and men in need identification, design, implementation and evaluation of development projects; and 3) involving both men and women in the management of service delivery by ensuring that qualified men and women occupy decision-making positions. This study was conducted in Siaya County, Kenya. Siaya County is located in the Western part of Kenya, along Lake Victoria, which is the third largest fresh water lake in the world. It is bordered by Busia, Kakamega, and Kisumu Counties to the North and NorthWest , NorthEast , and SouthEast respectively, and Homabay County across the Winam Gulf to the South and SouthWest. Siaya County is divided into Gem, Ugunja, Ugenya, Alego-Usonga, Bondo and Rarieda sub-counties, which are also parliamentary constituencies. The constituencies are further divided into 30 County assembly wards. The County covers a surface area of 3,535 square kilometers with an estimated population of 950,000, out of which approximately 495,000 are female, with an estimated density of 372 persons per square kilometer. The County is predominantly populated by the Luo community. Agriculture is the backbone of the county's economy and the main source of livelihood. The main agricultural activities include fishing, smallholder rain-fed cultivation and livestock production. The main objective of the study was to establish the gender responsiveness of the services offered by Siaya County government. Specifically, the study conducted a gender analysis of the socioeconomic challenges in Siaya County, including food insecurity, unemployment/ underemployment, water, sanitation and health; and a gender analysis of the County budget. 2. Methodology Data for this study was collected from 132 main respondents who included 97 women whose ages ranged between 18 and 67 years. Data from the main respondents was complimented by information from key informants, drawn from among senior County government officials, and community own resource persons (COPRs), among them teachers, chiefs and gender activists. Data from the main respondents were collected through a questionnaire and focus group discussions (FGDs). This was complemented by key informant interviews and secondary data. Qualitative data were

Introduction Apart from being the leading cause of neonatal death (Ouyang et al., 2013) and maternal mortality among women in the reproductive age (Say et al., 2014), adverse pregnancy outcomes also affect the general health of the newborn (Filippi et al., 2006). Adverse pregnancy outcomes are also responsible for morbidities and debilitating disabilities such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), obstetric fistula and infertility (World Health Organization, 2015a). They can also negatively impact the social and economic standing of women and their families (Filippi et al. 2006; World Health Organization, 2015a). According to World Health Organization (2006; 2015b), pregnancy outcomes can be greatly improved if expectant women have adequate maternal health knowledge (MHK). Women with adequate MHK are more likely to attend the recommended minimum of four AnteNatal Care (ANC) clinics during pregnancy, deliver in health facilities under the supervision of trained healthcare practitioners, and receive Post-Natal Care (PNC) from skilled healthcare practitioners for 24 to 48 hours after delivery. Similarly, even if morbidity does occur despite the preventive action, it can be successfully managed if women have adequate MHK since they are likely to be seek treatment from skilled healthcare practitioners in a timely manner, at the onset of any illness, or as soon as any injury occurs, during pregnancy or the post-partum period (World Health Organization, 2006). Developing countries, of which Kenya is part, continue to report adverse pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriages, still-births, and neonatal and maternal deaths (World Health Organization, 2016). In 2015, more than five million miscarriages, approximately four million still-births, three million neonatal deaths, and more than 300,000 maternal deaths occurred in developing countries, (World Health Organization, 2017). More than two thirds of the adverse pregnancy outcomes occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa (World Health Organization, 2015c). For instance, developing countries accounted for approximately 99 percent of the global maternal deaths, with sub-Saharan Africa alone accounting for roughly 66 percent, followed by Southern Asia at approximately 22 percent. Similarly, more than 4.2 million miscarriages occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa (World Health Organization, 2016).

As China" s economy rise in the world order, there is a higher demand for more resource s in Africa. China has relative scarci ty of crucial resource s notably oil, gas, and minerals. The growing China -Africa relation is seen by some international relation scholars as part of the "foundation" on which their broader strategic ambitions are built. It is from this perspective that the growing relation seems to sugge st that Africa i s somehow "critical" for Chine se economy. Afri ca"s ri ch natural re sources and underdeveloped market create abundant business potential for Chine se products. China"s intere sts in Africa not only include economic interests but also political, security and ideological interests. Thi s rapidly evolving relationship presents opportuni ties and challenges for Africa. Chinese trade, investment and infrastructure aid are fundamentally re -shaping Africa" s economie s. Nevertheless, the ri se of China is also posing a "security dilemma" in the global balance of power. U.S being a super power is not happy with the rise of China. US sees Africa continent hungry for their investment, expertise, and rule of law. However, there are contentious issues affecting thi s relationship: African continent was a victim of "western colonization" and "strings attached" approaches. "Strings attached" approach is brought about by quasi-state actors and is often being criticized by most Africa leaders for meddling with internal affairs of some Africa state s and also making the continent dependent on western foreign aid. This paper offers a critical analysi s of the China"s-Africa relations and conflicts in Africa, using Sudan a s ca se study. This paper examines how china"s activities in Afri ca are contributing to conflicts by looking at the transfer of Chinese-made arms to Sudan in the name of acquiring oil to protect her national interests.