South African women in politics: the case study of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Sokani, Andile https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3835-3501
- Authors: Sokani, Andile https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3835-3501
- Date: 2021-02
- Subjects: Women -- Political activity -- South Africa , Women government executives
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22340 , vital:52026
- Description: Many barriers exist for women to participating in local or national politics and decisionmaking. This study, which was conducted in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality of South Africa's Eastern Cape Province, examines and highlights the extent to which South Africa has provided opportunities for women to participate in local politics and decisionmaking in local government. According to research, women face gender discrimination in local politics, particularly in provinces such as the Eastern Cape, where patriarchy still exists. Despite the fact that much work has been done in South Africa to combat gender discrimination, including in politics, women continue to be under-represented in local politics and decision-making. The study was founded on Feminist theory to draw attention to the issue of women's under-representation in politics. Feminists believe that the benefits and burdens of social, economic, and political life are gendered. According to feminist theory, the gender-power-order is always present in our society. The notion that women and their situations are central to political analysis is a central feature of feminist political theory, with its interest in questioning the fact that men appear to have more power and privilege than women and how this can be changed. The mixed-methods research approach was used in the study, and 200 members of the community were given questionnaires. Ten in-depth interviews with female Proportional Representation and Ward Councillors from the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province were conducted. The study's data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for quantitative data and NVivo 12 Pro for qualitative data. Based on the study's theoretical frameworks, the findings revealed that, despite national and international policy and legislative provisions on women's empowerment and gender equality, women continue to face institutional gendered challenges. The researcher observed that, while there are policies encouraging women to participate in politics, the implementation of those policies is not uniform, according to those who participated in the study. The findings argued that existing policies should be implemented in order for women to participate in politics. The government must ensure that these policies are implemented so that women can fully participate in politics. The study's findings revealed that there are ongoing gender dynamics, stereotypes, and perceptions of women in politics and decision-making in local municipalities, particularly in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. According to the study's findings, women should be empowered in the right way. The study also recommended that young females be educated about politics in order to increase their participation in politics. Furthermore, the study suggested that political parties in BCM should encourage women to participate in politics in their constitutions. Political parties in BCM should prioritize women because they are a direct pathway for women to elected office and political leadership. Finally, the study advocated for a greater effort to break down traditional stereotypes and prejudices that make women's ascension and retention in positions of authority difficult. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-02
- Authors: Sokani, Andile https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3835-3501
- Date: 2021-02
- Subjects: Women -- Political activity -- South Africa , Women government executives
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22340 , vital:52026
- Description: Many barriers exist for women to participating in local or national politics and decisionmaking. This study, which was conducted in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality of South Africa's Eastern Cape Province, examines and highlights the extent to which South Africa has provided opportunities for women to participate in local politics and decisionmaking in local government. According to research, women face gender discrimination in local politics, particularly in provinces such as the Eastern Cape, where patriarchy still exists. Despite the fact that much work has been done in South Africa to combat gender discrimination, including in politics, women continue to be under-represented in local politics and decision-making. The study was founded on Feminist theory to draw attention to the issue of women's under-representation in politics. Feminists believe that the benefits and burdens of social, economic, and political life are gendered. According to feminist theory, the gender-power-order is always present in our society. The notion that women and their situations are central to political analysis is a central feature of feminist political theory, with its interest in questioning the fact that men appear to have more power and privilege than women and how this can be changed. The mixed-methods research approach was used in the study, and 200 members of the community were given questionnaires. Ten in-depth interviews with female Proportional Representation and Ward Councillors from the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province were conducted. The study's data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for quantitative data and NVivo 12 Pro for qualitative data. Based on the study's theoretical frameworks, the findings revealed that, despite national and international policy and legislative provisions on women's empowerment and gender equality, women continue to face institutional gendered challenges. The researcher observed that, while there are policies encouraging women to participate in politics, the implementation of those policies is not uniform, according to those who participated in the study. The findings argued that existing policies should be implemented in order for women to participate in politics. The government must ensure that these policies are implemented so that women can fully participate in politics. The study's findings revealed that there are ongoing gender dynamics, stereotypes, and perceptions of women in politics and decision-making in local municipalities, particularly in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. According to the study's findings, women should be empowered in the right way. The study also recommended that young females be educated about politics in order to increase their participation in politics. Furthermore, the study suggested that political parties in BCM should encourage women to participate in politics in their constitutions. Political parties in BCM should prioritize women because they are a direct pathway for women to elected office and political leadership. Finally, the study advocated for a greater effort to break down traditional stereotypes and prejudices that make women's ascension and retention in positions of authority difficult. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-02
Challenges and opportunities: an evaluation of the implementation of gender mainstreaming in South African government departments, with specific reference to the department of justice and constitutional development (DoJ&CD) and the department of foreign affairs (DFA)
- Authors: Sedibelwana, Maria Valerie
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Women government executives , Sex discrimination , Women in the civil service -- South Africa , Gender mainstreaming -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8243 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/757 , Women government executives , Sex discrimination , Women in the civil service -- South Africa , Gender mainstreaming -- South Africa
- Description: The aim of this research project is to conduct an evaluation on the implementation of gender mainstreaming in South African government departments, with specific reference to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The research project is based on the hypothesis that despite the existence of a National Gender Machinery, Gender Focal Points (GFPs) face numerous challenges in implementing gender mainstreaming, due to various internal and external factors. Based on the two case studies, the research project concludes that despite a strong commitment from government, GFPs still face challenges in effectively implementing gender mainstreaming. This is due to a lack of accountability, an understanding of the concept of gender mainstreaming, as well as a lack of resources. Furthermore, systemic weaknesses within the National Gender Machinery are exacerbating the challenges faced GFP
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Sedibelwana, Maria Valerie
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Women government executives , Sex discrimination , Women in the civil service -- South Africa , Gender mainstreaming -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8243 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/757 , Women government executives , Sex discrimination , Women in the civil service -- South Africa , Gender mainstreaming -- South Africa
- Description: The aim of this research project is to conduct an evaluation on the implementation of gender mainstreaming in South African government departments, with specific reference to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The research project is based on the hypothesis that despite the existence of a National Gender Machinery, Gender Focal Points (GFPs) face numerous challenges in implementing gender mainstreaming, due to various internal and external factors. Based on the two case studies, the research project concludes that despite a strong commitment from government, GFPs still face challenges in effectively implementing gender mainstreaming. This is due to a lack of accountability, an understanding of the concept of gender mainstreaming, as well as a lack of resources. Furthermore, systemic weaknesses within the National Gender Machinery are exacerbating the challenges faced GFP
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
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