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

Title: South African women in politics: the case study of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Creator: Sokani, Andile https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3835-3501
Subject: Women -- Political activity -- South Africa
Subject: Women government executives
Date Issued: 2021-02
Date: 2021-02
Type: Doctoral theses
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22340
Identifier: 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.
Description: Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
Format: computer
Format: online resource
Format: application/pdf
Format: 1 online resource (330 leaves)
Format: pdf
Publisher: University of Fort Hare
Publisher: Faculty of Social Science and Humanities
Language: English
Rights: University of Fort Hare
Rights: All Rights Reserved
Rights: Open Access

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