Explore publications.

Owing to women past lived experiences of gender discrimination and marginalization, public policy is among the strategies that are prioritized by the government towards the creation of gender balances in the post 1994 era. To this effect, Section 7 (1) of the 1996 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa provides that the bill of rights is the cornerstone for affirming democratic rights, human dignity, equality and freedom of all citizens. Despite this constitutional imperative, the literature and empirical evidence in the South African local government sphere points to challenges of women exclusion and lack of empowerment opportunities. Therefore, this article seeks to examine the prohibiting factors that impedes effective implementation of the WEGEP in local government with specific reference to iMpendle Local Municipality in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. It also sought to develop strategies to assist the government to improve WEGEP implementation.  The study used qualitative methodology in which structured interviews were used to collect data from the municipal officials. A total of 30 participants were purposively identified and clustered for data collection, and 27 were available for interviews. In terms of data analysis, a mixture of content and thematic analyses were used. The study was underpinned by 5C protocol as a conceptual framework. The findings of the study indicated a slow pace of implementation of WEGEP in the municipality. This was attributed to the lack of human and financial resources. The findings also pointed to challenges in relation to the monitoring and evaluation for gender and women empowerment programmes. Furthermore, there was a lack of change management in dealing with the issues pertaining to women empowerment and gender equality in the municipality. The study contributes to the outlook of public policy, effectiveness of government programs, and strengthens the body of knowledge in the area of public policy.

This study explores the impact of women’s leadership and governance on stability and development in Limpopo province in South Africa, employing a qualitative research approach to provide a comprehensive analysis. Limpopo Province, with its complex socio-political landscape and historical context, presents a unique case for examining the role of women in leadership positions within both governmental and non-governmental sectors. The research integrates qualitative data to assess how women in leadership contribute to fostering stability, promoting socio-economic development, and influencing policy reforms. The qualitative component involves in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with women leaders, policymakers, and community members to gain insights into the strategies, challenges, and impacts of female leadership in governance. The findings showed that women in leadership positions have a positive influence on governance practices, social cohesion, and inclusive development, though challenges related to gender-based discrimination, political power dynamics, and institutional barriers remain significant. This study contributes to the broader discourse on gender equality in leadership, offering policy recommendations aimed at enhancing women’s participation in governance to achieve sustainable development and long-term stability in South Africa. Anti-discrimination laws must also be given top priority by governments and organizations, and prejudices in hiring and promotion procedures must be actively addressed.

This study examined the determinants affecting women's empowerment in political involvement within the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) in the Eastern Cape Province.  A qualitative inductive technique was utilised to obtain insights from female ward and proportional representation councillors, involving 10 key informant interviews to examine their experiences in local governance.  The research was based on feminist theories that underscore the necessity for social equality and the deconstruction of patriarchal frameworks within political situations.  The results indicated that social support, knowledge, and accessible forums for women to articulate their perspectives were crucial in enabling women's active participation in local politics.  The study emphasised the significance of executing existing policies and cultivating personal drive as essential factors for increasing women's political participation.  The results highlighted the importance of establishing a supportive atmosphere that prioritises women for political roles and the need for chances for them to express their views.  The research demonstrated that women's political drive and legacy are crucial in encouraging future generations of female leaders.  This study offers a thorough analysis of the elements that can enhance women's empowerment in municipal politics, hence fostering greater female representation and involvement in decision-making processes.