4. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - Faculties submissions
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Item The gendered barriers women face in politics: The case study of South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Olivier, Ursulene; De Matos Ala, JacquelineWomen politicians face nefarious and diverse obstacles. Their voices are both needed and lacking in the halls of national decision-making. According to the 2022 Global Gender Gap Report (GGGR) the gap in global female Political Empowerment has consistently remained the largest since the first report was published in 2006. Globally women only have 22% of the Political Empowerment that men have. This research conducts a discourse and content analyses of female political representation in South Africa and whether this translates into better outcomes for gender equality in broader society. It investigates the social constructs of political hegemonic masculinity and political patronage and the role it plays in the political careers of women to reach executive level positions such as becoming a cabinet minister and president. Key findings are gender stereotypes and gender roles found in both social constructs keep women out of political power. Many women politicians also do not champion the gender equality cause in South Africa in support of political hegemonic masculinity and political patronage.Item Masculinity and its role in gender-based violence in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Davhana-Ngwenya, VhugalaThis study investigates ways in which men construct masculinity and understand its role in gender-based violence. An increased interest in studying masculinity and its construction suggests that there are different ways in which men express their masculinities. 11 males over the age of 18 participated in the study. A semi-structured interview schedule was used to guide one on one interviews that were used to collect data. The interviews were recorded and transcribed for easy analysis. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data through identifying, analysing, and reporting repeated themes. Specifically, four themes were identified in this study: (1) Constructions of traditional masculinity, (2) Construction of gender-based violence, (3) Role models and (4) Proposed interventions for gender- based violence. The findings suggest that participants have a negative view towards the traditional ideology of masculinity and conventional masculinity. For most of the participants’ influential role models were predominantly male figures who held positions of authority in their households or communities while for other media emerged as a significant role model. The participants understood the impact of GBV and its far-reaching consequences on its victims. The research will contribute to the field of psychology in the understandings of constructions of masculinity and its role in Gender Based Violence.Item An Exploration of the Identity of South African Indian Female University Students: A Transgenerational Perspective(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Pillay, Yajnika; Marchetti-Mercer, MariaThe meanings assigned to gender, race, culture and identity in post-apartheid South Africa are deeply embedded within the historical journeys and struggles of different population groups across the country. For many individuals, connections to the past are found within family legacies and intergenerational stories which shape and define understandings of who they are. This study sought to understand the role of these family narratives in constructing the identity of young South African Indian women today. Participant interviews and genogram data were obtained from eight women between the ages of 18-25, who were students at the University of the Witwatersrand. The findings of this study revealed that participants adopted hybrid identities which incorporated values associated with traditional gender roles for women as well as ideals and behaviours based on more modern values. The manner in which participants negotiate between these different understandings of femininity is influenced by a sense of obligation and duty towards their families, which linked closely with previous research on collectivist culture. These findings are further contextualised and understood using Bowen’s Family Systems Theory and understandings of differentiation.Item Investigating Ways in Which the Profile and Identity of Women Affects their Capacity to Work Effectively in the Urban Management Field(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mazamane, Zintathu SigcineItem Gendered strategies and aspirations of black women inhabiting borderland spaces: a case study of Musina local municipality(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Muzanenhamo, Chido Anna Maria; Harrison, PhilipThis research focuses on how black femininity is constructed and embodied in an African borderland at the intersections of rural-urban and transnational interfaces. Conducted in Musina local municipality, this study posits that a double borderland identity – an identity formed through the spatial overlaps of transnational, rural, and urban existence – shapes how black women are caught in-between idealized conceptualizations of black femininity and the processes of dislocation and adaptation that accompany pressures of assimilating into a borderland society. Utilizing qualitative research methods, including a case study analysis, reflexive photography and journalling, and 43 semi-structured interviews, this study explored the concepts of intersectionality, liminality, and borderlands. The findings suggest that black femininity is an ideal constructed largely of three components: selfhood, wifehood, and motherhood. These ideas frequently mirror the perception that certain categories – like gender, geography, and nationality – are fixed and unrelated. However, the study shows that gender identity in the municipality is performatively intersectional, leading to diverse liminal experiences. Identities in an African borderland can be fluid, hybrid, invisible or visible depending on the context. This study provides a more nuanced understanding of identity formation in borderland spaces. The double borderland identity is particularly important because it subverts and transforms commonly perceived notions of black femininity, being the catalyst for the experiences and embodiment of intersectional identities, often leaving many women in a permanent state of in- betweenness.Item Migration, Motherhood and Subjective Wellbeing: Experiences of Transnational Mothers in Johannesburg(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-12) Zikhali, Thulisile; Vearey, Jo; Walker, RebeccaThe discussions on feminisation of migration have renewed research interests into the gendered nature of migration experiences. This highlights the implications of cultural norms and values on migrant women. Despite that there is a longstanding history of people migrating to Johannesburg from within the Southern African region, little is written about the experiences of cross border migrant mothers who leave their children behind. This study explores the intersections of migration, motherhood, and subjective wellbeing in Johannesburg inner city, drawing from the experiences of twenty women: originating from Zimbabwe (comprising 15 women), Ghana (consisting of 3 women), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (involving 2 women). Participant observations and semi-structured interviews are methods that were used to collect data in the following three Johannesburg inner city areas: Hillbrow, Berea, and Yeoville. These are migrant-dense urban spaces in Johannesburg. The study used matricentric feminism and constructivism as its philosophical resources. It also utilised concepts of precarity, embodied transnationalism and subjective wellbeing as analytical tools to examine transnational mothers’ experiences. Findings indicate that familial social history and cultural gender norms play a crucial role in shaping perceptions of motherhood and in determining what are seen as “acceptable” ways of mothering. The study also found that there were tensions and contradictions in mothers’ perceptions of motherhood: their convictions on meanings of motherhood and the roles that mothers are expected to play in families were not in alignment with their own contemporary realities. Contrary to studies that have been conducted elsewhere, for example in North America and Europe, this study suggests that transnational mothering strategies in Johannesburg inner city are largely mediated by localised contextual factors such as lack of documentation, unstable jobs, xenophobia and crime. These factors undermine mothering strategies by creating an environment of uncertainty which makes it difficult for mothers to fulfil their mothering obligations, for example, sending remittances on time, maintaining regular cross border communication and regular visits to home. This study contributes to conceptual advancement in transnational motherhood research by bringing the aspect of wellbeing to the fore. It does this by uniquely considering the use of subjective wellbeing in understanding mothers’ experiences and how migration was beneficial to their mothering goals and aspirations. Findings indicate that mothers demonstrated agency in dealing with various challenges. They found migration as emancipatory and they were determined to provide for their children as well as to secure their future.Item The potential of regenerative agriculture in creating climate adaptive and gender inclusive food systems: a study of rural communities in Mpumalanga, South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-08) Govender, Yashila; Kabisa, Mulako; Pereira, LauraNumerous social-ecological risks to food systems are brought on by industrial agriculture – resulting in various narratives around the sustainability of agriculture, offering a solution to the problems confronting this system. One of these narratives is regenerative agriculture (RA), which has recently gained popularity. The potential of regenerative agriculture could contribute to sustainable agriculture and is capable of addressing climate adaptation challenges and potentially fostering gender inclusivity within food systems. Despite growing interest around regenerative agriculture, this concept is not well understood or researched in South Africa, especially in rural farming villages. This research delves into the multifaceted domain of regenerative agriculture and looks to describe this in the South African context. This study sets out to achieve three research questions, what is the definition of regenerative agriculture in a South African context, what is the current understanding around this concept among smallholder farmers in farming villages of Bushbuckridge and if so, how does regenerative agriculture considers the local gender dynamics in rural farming communities? A mixed methods approach was used for this study. Ten expert interviews with key stakeholders in the agricultural sector were conducted to construct a definition of regenerative agriculture tailored to South African conditions. Thereafter, individual interviews were used to gauge the level of understanding and adoption of regenerative practices among smallholder farmers in the villages of Bushbuckridge. This sample consisted of 74.2% female and 25.8% male. Finally, an in-depth analysis of how regenerative agriculture compared with local dynamics in rural farming communities was conducted through participatory engagement. A total of 54 participants participated in focus group discussions. The results indicate there is a multifaceted understanding of regenerative agriculture in South Africa, with most experts indicating that regenerative agriculture is practiced under the name of conservation agriculture (CA). Aspects of both practices have some commonalities with agroecology, such as principles of soil conservation, polyculture and no-tillage that are highly promoted in South Africa. Additionally, smallholder farmers in Mpumalanga practice regenerative agriculture, with different adoption rates in different villages. Furthermore, this research highlights that the adoption of regenerative agriculture in rural farming communities requires further discussion and stakeholder engagement, especially with women, and includes socio-economic and cultural factors. This study contributes to the broader discourse on regenerative agriculture by providing a context-specific definition, indicating that regenerative agriculture is an overlap of agroecology and conservation agriculture in South Africa, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities for smallholder adoption, and emphasizing the importance of community-based approaches in regenerative agriculture educational programs. The research underscores the need for tailored education and extension programs that account for local conditions and socio-cultural factors.Item Pass Laws and social reproduction: A reading of the 1956 women’s march and its aftermath(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mashele, Rixongile; Ponniah, UjithraThis thesis historically locates the experiences of ‘ordinary’ women in the context of restricted urban mobility, poor labour conditions, the disruption of family life and the pass system. Using archives and social reproduction as a conceptual lens, this research establishes that ‘ordinary’ black women knew what they were protesting for in 1956, that they understood the state’s efforts of consciously manipulating the costs of social reproduction, and its direct impact on their daily lives. They also understood that the experiences of men and women under apartheid were not the same. Importantly, these women utilised womanhood to fight against the apartheid state in their attempts of ensuring that African children receive access to resources and privileges equivalent to those of white children.Item A Decomposition Analysis of Gender Disparities in Need and Unmet Need for Care and Support in Urban Gauteng(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Lusanda Mhlahlo, Siphesihle; Booysen, FrederikGender inequalities are a pervasive issue with far-reaching effects across all aspects of society, including the economy. This study delves into gender health disparities, specifically focusing on need and unmet need for care and support. Using data from the Gauteng Quality of Life Survey of 2020/2021, the study employs logistic regressions and a decomposition model to analyse the prevalence of need and unmet need, and how these differ across sex. The findings of this study highlight a higher prevalence of need among women, with employment emerging as the most significant factor contributing to the gender gap in need. Equalizing employment levels between men and women could potentially reduce the gender difference in need by 15%. Additionally, the study identifies a self-reported history of intimate partner violence (IPV) as a key contributor to gender disparities in need, suggesting that reducing the prevalence of IPV among women to match that of men would help narrow the gender gap. Furthermore, the study reveals a greater prevalence of unmet need among men, once again linking a self-reported history of IPV to this disparity. These findings shed light on the complex interplay of gender, health, and societal factors, emphasizing the importance of addressing gender inequalities in healthcare and support systems.Item Examining the Effect of Women’s Empowerment on Multidimensional Poverty: Case of South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Ratshivhand, Thonifho; Benhura, MiracleThis study examines the levels and correlations of individual women’s empowerment and household level multidimensional poverty in South Africa, overall and by rural/ urban location. The Alkire-Foster (2011) techniques is employed for the construction of the Women Empowerment Index (WEI) and Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), and a logistic regression analysis is employed to ascertain whether women’s empowerment is negatively correlated to multidimensional poverty. The study uses the 2016 South African Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) dataset and estimates that 3.2% of South African households are multidimensionally poor, with a higher prevalence in rural areas. In both rural and urban areas, the standard of living dimension contributed most to MPI. Regarding WEI, women residing in urban areas (67.3%) are more empowered compared to those residing in rural areas (53.9%), with attitude towards domestic violence dimension contributing most to women’s empowerment. Findings from logistic regressions show that women’s empowerment is negatively associated with multidimensional poverty in South Africa. Women in older age groups and better paid occupations are associated with lower multidimensional poverty, also non-Black/African women and those residing in urban areas have a lower chance of experiencing multidimensional poverty, than Black/African women and those residing in urban areas. Overall, this study highlights the importance of addressing women's empowerment as a key strategy for poverty reduction in South Africa. The results suggest a need for customised strategies to improve women’s empowerment and reduce multidimensional poverty in South Africa's rural and urban areas.