Wits School of Governance (ETDs)

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A developmental approach to gender mainstreaming: women and political spaces in Ghanaian government
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Sosu-Awusanya, Ruth Dzigbordi; Brooks, Heidi
In an increasingly global world with greater awareness of the role of gender inclusivity, there is also increased awareness of the role and value of women’s participation in institutions of government. Ghana is no exception. However, despite efforts and policies in Ghana to facilitate women’s inclusion, it is apparent that women are still not participating in their numbers within government spaces. The research dissertation asks to what extent gender mainstreaming can play a role in facilitating effective participation of women in Ghana’s local government. Through semi-structured interviews and literature analysis, this research report explores the institutional barriers to women’s participation and contribution in local government in Ghana. The study finds that there have been some inclusive policies to ensure that women are better represented in politics. However, these are met with various setbacks resulting from Ghana’s wider social and cultural norms and values. These factors manifest in the local government space in institutional barriers that play a role in inhibiting women from participating effectively. The study finds that gender mainstreaming can play a role in addressing those barriers and encouraging more women to participate in the local government but there remain challenges to their effectiveness
Challenges Johannesburg non-governmental organisations face in the fight against gender-based violence
(2022) Rwebangira, Annelies Byera
The purpose of this research is to examine the challenges NGOs in Johannesburg face that hinder the fight against GBV, and to offer recommendations on how to overcome them so as to achieve greater success in their work. A qualitative methodology is used to obtain the findings of the research, with methods of semi-structured interviews and document analysis. The three main challenges facing NGOs dealing with GBV, according to Britton (2006) are shortages in funding, inadequate leadership, and inappropriate methods. This research interrogates these three challenge areas as they relate to GBV. The findings suggest that similar challenges still persist among NGOs as those pointed out by Britton. Shortage in funding is still the leading challenge facing NGOs. Inadequate leadership is continually observed in the form of the limited extent of collaboration of the NGOs with other stakeholders especially the government officials. Lastly, it builds upon the challenges associated with the methods carried out by the NGOs while implementing the strategies, i.e. they are hindered by harmful socio-cultural practices and ethical challenges while carrying out GBV research. In conclusion, the research suggests that NGOs should devise alternative means of securing additional funding, provide more training to enhance leadership, and design methods that are socially and culturally sensitive to the needs of the victims of GBV.
Feminist evaluation: case study of graça machel trust women creating wealth programme
(2022) Mokoena, Refilwe
Feminist evaluation assesses the value or merit of a policy, programme or other initiative with a focus on the gender-based inequality and its contribution to social injustice. Evaluation results and processes are then used to act and advocate for gender equality. Applying a feminist lens to evaluation increases the likelihood that systemic gender-based norms, beliefs and discrimination will be examined and addressed. This, in turn, can increase the evaluation’s utility as feminist evaluation approaches involve users in defining and addressing these norms. This study applied feminist evaluation principles to the Graça Machel Trust Women Creating Wealth (WCW) programme in Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia, to examine how these principles affect the usefulness of the evaluation. The research used Alkin’s (2017) concept of the two categories of the Program Evaluation Utility Standards – those to do with the evaluation and those to do with the evaluator – to define utility. The study evaluated the WCW by employing the Most Significant Change approach, complemented by document review. The study’s research component included semi-structured key informant interviews with feminist evaluation experts, the WCW programme manager and a literature review. Results revealed the ways in which the two feminist principles contributed to the evaluation-related utility standards, namely attention to stakeholders and meaningful processes and products. Adding a feminist lens to the evaluation context analysis of the WCW programme made visible the gender norms and beliefs in the external environment as well as those demonstrated by the programme. This context review also brought to light the power dynamics within the programme. This information strengthened attention to more marginalized stakeholders, which increased the study’s utility. The use of feminist principles outlined the ways of knowing espoused by the WCW programme and showed that some ways of knowing and learning were privileged over others, even in an all-women initiative The use of feminist evaluation principles and the Most Significant incited some learning and reflection on feminist programming on the part of WCW staff. The full investigation into the evaluation’s utility remained underdeveloped, however, due to logistical and time constraints. This presents an opportunity for further and future research into the effect of feminist evaluation on evaluation utility in Africa.
Gender Occupational Distribution in the Post-Apartheid South African Labour Market
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Jack, Khanyisa; Mackett, Odisa
This study seeks to assess how women's employment has evolved in post-apartheid South Africa by analysing female occupation concentration in the labour market. Exploring gender patterns is essential in identifying processes in the system which may either be producing or reinforcing segregation in gender occupational distribution within the labour market (Siltanen et al., 1996). This is especially important if one considers the policy efforts and strategies put in place by the government post-1994. Hence, the interest is to look at the trends of occupation distribution over time. In the absence of non-discriminatory policies and continued promotion of gender equality in the labour market, one would expect proportional representation of both genders across all occupations, and similar economic outcomes, with a lesser degree of occupational segregation. As a result, this study seeks to understand whether there has been a trajectory towards narrowing segregation in the distribution of occupational groups to better assist targeted interventions to promote gender equality and inclusivity in the labour market. The study makes use of the Stats SA October Household Survey (OHS) from 1993 to 1999, and the Labour Force Survey from 2000 to 2020, amongst other document analyses. It further focuses on the distribution of occupational groups to explore the degree of segregation, determine whether the nature of segregation has changed over time or not, and the determinants of the possible observed changes in the labour market. Overall, the results of the regression analysis show that, to varying degrees, there is a linear relationship between high female and male occupational concentration and other characteristics such as gender, age group, province, industry, and the highest level of education etc. Although both gender and race have proven to have a more prolonged impact on occupational attainment, both the descriptive and regression analysis show that gender remains a key determining factor in labour market outcomes and occupational attainment. This can be understood to mean that while legislation has had some success in addressing barriers to entry for previously disadvantaged groups in terms of race and gender, legislation aimed at addressing various forms of discrimination cannot necessarily address intrinsic societal norms and perceptions around gender roles or the perceived competence of individuals who form part of particular racial groups. Individuals in elementary occupations are more likely to be employed in occupational groups with higher female concentration ratios. Some occupations and industries continue to be gendered in their concentration levels, especially those that a male-dominated, i.e., craft and related trade, plant and machine – the overwhelming majority of males in these occupations may be deterring women and there might be certain barriers to entry that keep women away from these occupations
Gender-based inequalities in access to water and sanitation in South Africa: Case study of two informal settlements
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Ntwana, Bukiwe; Wafer, A
This study is concerned with understanding the specific configurations of the institutional and infrastructural arrangements in two informal settlements that exacerbate or mitigate women's access to water and sanitation services. The study draws on a comparative case study design with some elements of ethnographic design in two informal settlements based in Cape Town and Johannesburg as case studies. The QQ Section informal settlement is situated in Cape Town, Khayelitsha. The settlement is dense, it is located on state-owned land with servitudes and it falls under the City of Cape Town municipality (CoCT) which is governed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) and it falls within Ward 89, which is an African National Congress (ANC) led Ward. The second settlement is the Marlboro South informal settlement, which is situated in Johannesburg, Marlboro. The settlement is located in an industrial area with shacks situated inside and outside around abandoned private-owned warehouses. Marlboro South falls under the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), which was governed by the DA from 2016 to 2019 when the fieldwork of this study was conducted. Furthermore, Marlboro South is divided into two wards, Ward 108 is ANC-led and Ward 109 is DA-led. Both settlements further adhere to other formal and informal institutions of power such as Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and community leadership institutions. All these factors have shaped water and sanitation services, which further affect women’s access to these services in both settlements. The study reveals that the effects of the institutional and infrastructural arrangements on water and sanitation result in women experiencing unsafe access, health and hygiene challenges, maintenance challenges of water and sanitation facilities, gender-based discrimination at the household and community levels and the marginalisation of women resulting from not having private connections to water and sanitation infrastructure in the two case studies. This study uses the qualitative research approach, the data was collected using in-depth household interviews, focus group discussions and key informant interviews in both settlements. The sampling method used in this study was purposive sampling with women as the study respondents in the two informal settlements
Inequality of opportunity in South Africa
(2023) Booysen, Andrid Angelique
Recent studies conducted in South Africa and other developing countries show that measuring the “unfair inequalities” in society (such as with income) that have an effect on one’s abilities to achieve certain outcomes, can assist in better understanding total inequality. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) is the government agency that is responsible for measuring and reporting inequality in the country. The purpose of this research is to contribute in providing an alternative view on how Stats SA can measure and report inequality in South Africa. The study adopts the ex-ante view when measuring inequality of opportunity. Data used for the study was sourced from the Living Conditions Survey (LCS). The variables used in the study were divided into outcome, circumstance and effort. The outcome or dependent variable used for this research was individual income annualised and adjusted for inflation. Results from the study show that individual employment status, individual years of schooling, race, parental educational level and employment status, sex of individual at birth and place of residence had the biggest effect on individual income in South Africa
Institutional arrangements in the coordination of policies for gender equality
(2020) Sobudula, Viwe
Gender inequality is a challenge which has been inherited from the apartheid government in South Africa. The democratic government has through the establishment of various institutions such as the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) and the development of policies and laws made efforts to address gender inequalities, however, the problem still persists. The purpose of this study is to analyse how the DWYPD works with other government departments through institutional arrangements to coordinate policies for the promotion of gender equality/equity. The research found that although the DWYPD has an enabling environment for policy coordination, institutional arrangements are structurally and operationally weak. The study also found challenges such as unclear policy mandate, lack of legislative authority to coordination policies and poor communication and planning within the DWYPD for the institutional arrangements. The study gives insights into challenges faced by different departments and makes recommendations for better coordination and management
Intersecting Public- Private and Civil Sector Governance of Gender Transformation in Sports in South Africa
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-02) Ndzala, Vuyelwa; Abrahams, Caryn
South Africa is a developing country with gender equality being one of the leading priorities since the democratic transition of 1994. is ushered by several stakeholders who have an important role in the governance of gender transformation. As an essential element for development, sports require for an implementation of coordinated strategies, wherein which multi- stakeholders both in the public, private and civil sector can play prescriptive, regulatory, technical as well financial support roles. Some of these roles could include leadership in sports. Yet, issues of inequality, inadequate sports women professionals and administrators is engulfed for more than two decades into democracy in the country. Unequal representation in decision-making positions, pay parity, femicide and gender-based violence, inadequate investment, repetitive negative stereotypes as well as codified norms are some of the visible ills experienced by women in the society as well as in sports. The research began with gender transformation phenomenon as a background to the study drawing into the governance of sports and role players in the sports system in South Africa to provide a summative framework for gender transformation in sports. The theoretical argument suggests that good governance in sports is largely dependent on the how adequately and transparently defined are roles and responsibilities and functions of the partaking stakeholders. Also, on how well the monitoring and evaluation strategies are enforced by the governing organization. Mainstreaming gender equality polices, and strategies is key, and, unless all stakeholders adopt and implement policies including regulatory frameworks to monitor and evaluate these, gender mainstream in sports could have long-lasting impact for women. In this regard, women and girl players across sports codes should not have unequal opportunities in sports relative to their male counterparts. Women have been deprived access to sports participation or being in sport leadership positions. The literature review shows that some underlying factors including exclusions on account of social beliefs and expectations, socio-cultural expectations, inadequate publicity and media coverage, access to participation, funding and poor governance affects optimal participation of women and young girls in sports in South Africa. The primary research objective was to examine the roles and responsibilities of the public-private and civil sector in gender transformation in sports, how the roles and responsibilities intersect and what interactions are involved between the various stakeholders to ensure gender transformation in sports. The study used a qualitative research approach to gain better understanding of the problem, further, applied a purposive sample of knowledge experts including government sector, private sector, sport federation and non-government organisations (administrators/activists, decision- makers, employees, and sport persons) current and retired players, sports journalist, coaches, and clubs (women led, school, and community sports club) to participate in the empirical part of the study. To collect data, the researcher used semi-structured interviews (n=12), audio-recorded the interviews, transcribed and analysed the data using thematic analysis. The following six themes were identified from the data such as: (i) structural support for women and girls in sports, and (ii)gendered meanings of sporting inclusion, (iii) systemic and gendered exclusion, (iv) partnership and collaboration for social change and gender empowerment, and (v) re-shaping the imaginary of sport sponsorship and support. The findings confirmed that: a) public- private and civil sector organisations have a role to play in the transformation agenda and in sports, b) that there is inadequate support and coordination between the role players in favour in ushering gender transformation in sports, c) there is no central coordination of the roles and responsibilities. There is no clear strategy for collaboration of efforts between the role players, each of the entities work in isolation of the other d) there seems to be challenges in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the gender mainstream initiatives and affects the optimal of participation women sports in South Africa. The study enabled the researcher to develop a conceptual framework to address the problem. The framework suggests that all stakeholders (especially sports organisations) adopt and implement policies including regulatory frameworks to monitor and evaluate regulatory measures with the view to promote equality between women and men in sports. Adopt an intersectionality approach that will help to determine the differences the participation rates between the marginalised groups and to those among dominantly situated groups with a view to redress the patriarchal norms and systemic gendered exclusion in sports. Develop equality policies that are monitored and evaluated using scientific research and integrate those into actions that will contribute to progressive long-term change and amenable to respond to changes in response to local situations and specific environments. Develop a structured implementation platforms with concrete actions necessary to strengthen and structure of cooperation between stakeholders to develop their instruments, capacities, policies, and actions, while facilitating dialogue and exchange of experience. It is therefore concluded that women participation in sports in South Africa can only benefit from an investment (implementation) in such a framework that will demand all role players (public, private, and non-governmental organisations) to lead and cooperatively work together to change gender norms and stereotypes in sports in South Africa.
Investigating policy exclusion of heterosexual male perpetrators in the National Strategic Plan on Gender-based Violence and Femicide
(University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Silaule, Nichole; Chikane, Rekgotsofetse
Gender-based violence (GBV) is not a minor novel societal challenge occurring in certain pockets of society. It is a pervasive global social justice issue, which transcends race, class, religion and geographical location. The policy exclusion of heterosexual male perpetrators within national policy presents a barrier to curbing gender-based violence and promoting social cohesion. A broad knowledge base exists regarding the drivers and implications of gender-based violence, however, there is a disconnect between gender-based violence national policy and the subjects inflicting the violence. This research therefore aims to broaden the discussion on the polarised narrative of heterosexual male perpetrators in the gender-based violence policy environment. A qualitative methodological approach is utilised to analyse the National Strategic Plan on Gender- based Violence and Femicide report and two associated reports in relation to the role and reference of heterosexual male perpetrators. Thematic content analysis and interpretive phenomenological analysis of the reports and 15 semi-structured interviews with government officials, non-governmental organisations and subject matter experts are methods used in the research to enhance the understanding of the data gathered. The intersectionality theory and ecological framework form the analytical lens shaping the research, these theories form the intersecting ecological factors at play informing policy and the policy stakeholders who passively and actively influence gender-based violence policy decisions. The findings show that factors in national policy formulation provide exclusionary barriers to heterosexual male perpetrators. The target group is not prevalent in stakeholder participation in consultations, patriarchal ideologies remain intact shaping gender-based violence and femicide policy. Local grassroots consultations with specific focus on un-converted heterosexual male perpetrators in various locations need to be provided platform. Also, applying inclusive gender transformative approaches in policy formulation are key determinates to effective policy implementation and inclusion of all policy stakeholders. In conclusion, the meaningful insights on gender-based violence perpetration will guide both future research and policy initiatives driven by government officials, civil society and private stakeholders in South African society
Monitoring and Evaluation Practise Contributions to Gendered Policies and Gender Mainstreaming at Wits University
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Moeno, Sharon; Blaser-Mapitsa, Caitlin
The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) released a report in 2014 and 2015 on several South African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This report made recommendations for these institutions, Wits University being one of them. These HEIs were advised to work on gendered transformation, empowerment, and gender equality and adopt the gender mainstreaming (GM) strategy to achieve these outcomes. However, information about GM in HEIs is limited. The perceived research gap in the lack of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of GM or gender policies and the indistinguishable impact of M&E practises on the achievement of GM results was identified; This research study sought to address this gap. A qualitative exploratory case study design with Wits University as the study site was used to investigate how M&E systems or practises contribute to the achievement of GM outcomes. Stratified purposive and convenience sampling were applied yielding 12 consenting participants with whom semi- structured interviews were conducted. According to the findings of the interviews, Wits does not have an internal M&E system or an official GM strategy, but elements of GM were recognised in policies and M&E practises. Factors such as resources and willpower were identified as contributing to achieving the GM outcomes. To improve the attainment of GM outcomes, it was proposed to establish an M&E system and an M&E unit
The Role of Philanthropy in Women Development through Food Security
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Makhubele, Thandi; Qobo, Mzukisi
Food insecurity remains one of the critical issues for countries in the African continent. According to Pérez-Escamilla, (2017, p. 1), “food insecurity occurs when people do not have access to nutritious food and where food production is inadequate.” Most of the world’s rural population relies on agriculture for its livelihoods and to bolster their local economies (The World Bank Group, 2020). Small-scale farmers are the backbone of the agricultural sector in most rural areas. They (Small-scale farmers) provide access to food for vulnerable groups, including women and children (Misselhorn & Hendriks, 2017). Meanwhile women are the most affected by food insecurity, even though they are the main contributors to food production in most Sub-Saharan countries (Doss, 2018). Women in rural areas, in particular, rely on agriculture to fight food insecurity and to participate in local economies. In South Africa, small-scale women farmers ranked lowest in income accumulation, equal access to food production resources such as land and markets and financing (Sishuba, 2019). For this reason, government subsidies and philanthropic support are crucial for engaging women and assisting them with resources that can allow them to have equal access to land, resources, skills, and finances as their male counterparts. This research investigated the intersection between and among philanthropy, food security and women-owned initiatives in the agricultural sector in Limpopo. The study focuses on small- scale women farmers in the Vhembe and Capricorn districts in Limpopo, the two regions that are popular for large scale farming in South Africa. The research sought to answer the question; ‘what is the contribution of philanthropy to women development in the agriculture sector?’ A qualitative research approach was employed to explore the role of philanthropic organisations in women development, particularly in the agricultural sector in Limpopo. Two questionnaires through an online survey were used as the main methods to collect primary data . Forty seven (47) respondents were targeted. Of these, twenty four (24) were small scale farmers while twenty three (23) were drawn from philanthropic organisations operating in South Africa
Women’s social entrepreneurship: a bridge to social development and local economic growth in Gauteng, South Africa
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Montse, Mmabatho Priscilia; Ngcobozi, Lihle
The South African government and the private business sector have been unable to create employment opportunities that meet the population’s needs. In light of this, entrepreneurship has become an essential catalyst for growth in the small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME) sector and a driving force behind the rapid expansion of social development (Li, Yaoqi, Huang, Songshan, Song, Lihong, 2020). It is in this context that social enterprises are a logical approach to bridging the economic gap. According to Canestrino, Cwiklicki, Magliocc and Pawelek (2020), the definition of social entrepreneurship is often unclear because of the lack of consistency, gaps in the literature and competing theoretical frameworks. Teasdale, McKay, Phillimore and Teasdale (2011), however, state that social enterprises often start off as community projects used by social entrepreneurs in their quest for change; the same authors also point out that these individuals are mainly active in the social and gender equality, human rights and environmental areas. According to literature, a social enterprise may describe a wide range of enterprises in different industries in the business, government and non-profit sectors. Social entrepreneurs are characterised by strong moral and ethical commitment, leadership, enthusiasm, a passion for meeting social needs and a sensitivity to environmental issues. While social entrepreneurship is developing, women’s leadership and entrepreneurship styles – which often lend themselves to socially conscious ways of doing business – are rarely explored (Davis & Abdiyeva, 2012). Women’s social entrepreneurship as a bridge between local economic growth and social development has been given little consideration. This study was conducted in this context of women’s leadership in social entrepreneurial activities and these activities supporting social development. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact that women leading social enterprises has on the social development of their communities. By applying a gendered analysis, a feminist framework and entrepreneurship perspectives, the researcher sought to explore how female social entrepreneurs lead, empower others and contribute to local economic growth in their communities. The study adopted the interpretivism research philosophy and qualitative research approach, and used the interview research strategy. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from participants with extensive experience in this field. The data collected from these interviews were processed using thematic analysis. 9 Themes such as empowerment, leadership, mentorship and social development emanated from the participants’ understanding of their roles in society and indicate that women’s social entrepreneurship positively transforms society and sociocultural order. Overall, the participants highlighted that women can bring about social development through leadership and entrepreneurship and could have more impact if they received more support. It was found that the participating female social entrepreneurs' goals and objectives in establishing their enterprises were to bridge the inequality gap and create and improve accessibility to opportunities for women and minority groups. The findings of this study suggest there is a need to expand the scope of research on women's social entrepreneurship in the context of developing economies

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