The dissertation seeks to investigate, examine, and critically analyse the reasons why Pietermaritzburg churches lack gender sensitivity in combating HIV/AIDS. The dissertation's focus is on Springs of Hope Support Group Project (SOH) - a support group that seeks to meet the felt needs amongst the HTV positive people around Pietermaritzburg. Amongst other motivations, the dissertation was undertaken as a contribution to the church in its fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. The methodology that was used involved field and library research as well as observations of other HIV/AIDS support groups. The primary source of this dissertation consists of interviews that were conducted among SOH members, NGOs workers, and Church ministers. Chapter one is an introduction to the whole dissertation and includes an introduction to chapter one, experiences of African women, the story of Ann Ntombela, the background of the study, statements of the problems and motivations, objectives of the study, research hypothesis/promises, significance of the study, the theoretical frameworks, critical reviews of existing literature, research methodology, research ethics, expected results, limitation of the study and a summary and conclusion. Chapter two deals with the negative effects of colonialism and failure of development on African women. Its objective is to unearth the factors behind the deplorable social, political, and economic position of African women before HIV was reported. It seeks to find out why the plight of African women has worsened since the coming of colonialism and the start of development efforts. Chapter three deals with gender. It relates the effects of development failure to the plight of African women. Matters of marginalization, exploitation and oppression of African women are dealt with at length. Chapter four focuses on HIV/AIDS infection, transmission, prevention, cure and treatment. It also tackles the matter of the vulnerability of African women to HIV/AIDS at length by relating chapter two to the realities that facilitates the infection of the virus especially on women. Chapter five deals with the field research and formulation of a gender sensitive approach to combating HIV/AIDS. It also seeks to formulate 'a church based gender sensitive approach' as the way forward in combating the spread of HIV/AIDS amongst African women in Pietermaritzburg. This chapter elaborates on how the church should reposition itself in order to be relevant and effective to women who are HIV positive. Chapter six is the conclusion of this dissertation. It includes a summary, a theological reflection and conclusion of the whole dissertation. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, PIetermaritzburg, 2004.

In the South African context, the Eastern Cape Province constitutes one of the most depressed and poorest regions with widespread poverty. It is characterised by a comparatively large rural population reflecting a skewed female/male ratio in favour of females due to large-scale outmigration of adult males seeking work in urban areas both within and outside the province, widespread unemployment, and lack of access to social infrastructure and services in many areas. The region thus provides an ideal setting for investigating gender and poverty linkages. Drawing on the literature, the study addresses the conceptual definitions and notions of poverty and explores issues on gender inequality and its effect on poverty. Paramount in explaining gender inequality are the gendered social relations between males and females brought about as a result of unequal access to economic and social resources and gendered division of labour in the household, extending to other institution sites, an skewed in favour of males. From the literature then, men and women were likely to experience poverty differently. Using official survey data on the Eastern Cape for 1997 and 2002, the study selected and analysed indicators that correlate with poverty, based on gender. The analysis came out with strong linkages between gender and poverty. It is established from the findings that the living conditions and life circumstances of women were more associated with the characteristics of poverty than that of men, leading to the conclusion that poverty remains gendered, and men and women experience poverty differently, with women more likely to be adversely affected than men. The investigation has also established that the rural population is more likely than the urban population to be at risk to the experience of poverty in the Eastern Cape, and that the African population group was the most affected group. In concluding, the study advocated the adoption of gender positive alleviation policy strategies that aim at improving women's access to economic and social resources. This, it is hoped, will have the effect of enhancing their capabilities and capacities. Secondly, it called for the adoption of sustainable livelihood programs, especially in rural areas where the majority of the vulnerable women reside and eke their livelihoods. It also acknowledged, in its concluding remarks, the limitations of household data in studies on gender disparities and advocated for the need to generate disaggregated intra-household data, the analysis of which may provide a more meaningful insight into gender-poverty linkages. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.

Claims of gender discrimination by women educators in South Africa were investigated through an examination of specific issues surrounding the employment of women educators of Indian descent. These include maternity leave, housing subsidy, pension scheme, medical aid, salaries, merit awards and promotions. The study is located within the context of the general oppression of all women in society. The analysis used the sexual division of labour as its central focus. Since the subjects under investigation were members of a minority ethnic group, factors such as their cultural heritage, race, and class difference were considered an integral part of the analysis. The study assessed the validity of each of the claims of discrimination through an examination of official documentation such as the Principal's Handbook and staff circulars relating to teachers' conditions of service, regulations and occupational incentives. Wherever possible, the claims were empirically examined through an analysis of the responses obtained from a sample of educators. Cross-tabulations and Chi-square analyses were used to test the claims statistically. Participation in a union as a possible organising strategy for women educators in their challenge of gender discrimination is suggested. A list of recommendations for the amelioration of gender discrimination against women educators is presented at the end of the study. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, 1991.

<p>This study explored the perceptions of black South African women residing in Khayelitsha, Site B, about thinness, HIV./AIDS and body image. Obesity is a major public health problem in developed as well as developing countries. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has been escalating in Sub-Saharan Africa and has been said to be the leading cause of death in South Africa.</p>

Thesis (MVerbruikerswet)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Rural areas in South Africa experience extreme levels of unemployment, and therefore are in dire need for skills training. In some rural areas this training takes place in community centres. Participants are empowered to generate an income. The activities mostly take place in a group context. In such a community centre a lack of the presentation of structured skills training programmes was identified. The aim of the study is to develop a skills training programme to help rural people in starting an income-generating project in a group context by means of intervention. In the literature study the concept of community centres was discussed. The basic human needs and the needs for training were related to the concept of group work. Programme development for adult education, income-generation and interventions were described in detail. The development of creativity, empowerment, capacity building and sustainable development were briefly discussed as potential outcomes of skills training programmes for the generation of income. For the purpose of this study a case study was undertaken of existing needlework groups in the Darling Focus Community Centre. A study group of 15 members was identified. The duration of the study group's involvement in needlework training was determined. The need for skills training workshops and the study group's interest in group work were established. Although the activities of the study group take place in group context, very little evidence exist of co-operation towards the objective of income generation. A major shortcoming is the failure to pinpoint objectives in the group. Darling is a rural tourist attraction with a target market for the sale of handcrafted products. For this purpose the crafted products need to adhere to certain criteria. Despite the opportunity to market products to tourists, only the local market is being targeted. The requirements of these clients are not considered a priority in the manufacturing of products. Therefore the study group was considered a suitable case study in this research. An intervention programme was compiled and implemented in group context for the training of skills in the manufacturing, marketing and selling of products. Surveys were done by self-administered questionnaires and unstructured interviews were conducted with important role players. Workshops were presented where skills application was monitored through control lists. The application of business skills was established through a semi-structured interview. Throughout the process the researcher made observations and documented information. Surveys indicated that the duration of the group members' involvement with needlework activities were between three and eleven years. A clear need for skills training as well as interest in group work was established and addressed. Self diagnoses of needs for skills training was done during visits to trade areas. A brainstorming session was conducted to generate ideas for the manufacturing of products to be sold. The skills in making these products were demonstrated during the workshops and practised during follow-up work sessions. A basic business skill workshop was conducted. After implementation of the intervention the results of the group work were evaluated at the hand of success criteria identified from literature. This list of criteria provides a guideline for similar training programmes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Landelike gebiede in Suid-Afrika gaan gebuk onder werkloosheid wat vaardigheidsopleiding noodsaak. Sommige plattelandse dorpe het gemeenskapsentrums wat onder meer vaardigheidsopleiding bied. Deelnemers aan die opleiding word bemagtig om 'n inkomste te kan genereer. Die aktiwiteite vind meestal in groepverband plaas. 'n Leemte, geïdentifiseer in so 'n gemeenskapsentrum, is die aanbieding van gestruktureerde vaardigheidsopleidingsprogramme in groepverband wat mense in staat stel om 'n volhoubare inkomste te genereer. Die studie het ten doel om deur intervensie 'n vaardigheidsopleidings-program te ontwikkel wat landelike mense help om 'n inkomstegenereringsprojek in groepverband te vestig. In die literatuuroorsig is die konsep van gemeenskapsentrums bespreek. Die basiese menslike behoeftes en behoeftes aan opleiding is in verband gebring met die konsep van groepwerk. Programontwikkeling vir volwassene-onderwys is uiteengesit en inkomstegenerering en –intervensies is volledig bespreek. Die ontwikkeling van kreatiwiteit, bemagtiging, kapasiteitsbou en volhoubare ontwikkeling is kortliks aangeraak as moontlike uitkomste van vaardigheidsopleidingsprogramme vir die generering van inkomste. Vir die doel van hierdie studie is 'n gevallestudie gedoen van bestaande naaldwerkgroepe gesetel in die Darling Fokus Gemeenskapsentrum. ‘n Studiegroep van 15 lede is geïdentifiseer. Die tydperk wat die studiegroep by naaldwerkopleiding betrokke is, is bepaal asook die behoefte aan vaardigheidsopleidingswerkswinkels. Verder is die studiegroep se belangstelling in groepwerk bepaal. Hoewel die aktiwiteite van die studiegroep in groepverband plaasvind, is daar min bewyse van samewerking ten einde die doel van inkomstegenerering te bereik. 'n Groot leemte is dat doelstellings nooit deur die groep gestel was nie. Darling is 'n landelike toeriste-aantreklikheid met 'n teikenmark vir die verkoop van handwerkprodukte. Hiervoor moet produkte aan sekere vereistes voldoen. Ondanks hierdie geleentheid om produkte onder toeriste te bemark, word daar slegs op die plaaslike mark gemik. Die vereistes van hierdie kliënte is nie 'n prioriteit in die vervaardiging van produkte nie. Die studiegroep is daarom as 'n geskikte geval beskou vir hierdie studie. 'n Intervensieprogram is in groepverband vir die opleiding van vaardighede in die vervaardiging, bemarking en verkope van produkte saamgestel en geïmplementeer. Opnames is gedoen deur selfgeadministreerde vraelyste en ongestruktureerde onderhoude is met belangrike rolspelers gevoer. Werkswinkels is aangebied waartydens vaardigheidstoepassing deur middel van kontrolelyste gemoniteer is. Die toepassing van besigheidsvaardighede is deur 'n semi-gestruktureerde onderhoud bepaal. Die navorser het deurentyd die waarneming gedoen en inligting gedokumenteer. Opnames het aangedui dat die groeplede tussen drie en elf jaar by die naaldwerkaktiwiteite betrokke is. 'n Duidelike behoefte aan vaardigheidsopleiding asook belangstelling in groepwerk is gevind en aangespreek. Selfdiagnose van behoeftes aan vaardigheidsopleiding is tydens besoeke aan afsetgebiede gedoen. 'n Dinkskrum is gehou om idees te genereer vir die maak van produkte om te verkoop. Die vaardighede vir die maak van hierdie produkte is deur middel van werkswinkels gedemonstreer en in opvolgende werksessies deur die studiegroep ingeoefen. 'n Besigheidsvaardigheidswerkswinkel waar basiese beginsels behandel is, is aangebied. Die resultate van groepwerk na die implementering van die intervensie is aan die hand van sukseskriteria wat uit literatuur geïdentifiseer is, geëvalueer. Hierdie stel kriteria bied 'n riglyn vir soortgelyke opleidingsprogramme.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In 1932 the well-known Afrikaans writer and politician, C.J. Langenhoven, died in Oudtshoorn in his home, Arbeidsgenot. In his testament he appointed Sarah Goldblatt as the person responsible for the administration of his literary works. Sarah, a Jewish woman, immigrated to the Cape together with her family in 1897. The aim of this research was to find the possible reasons why Langenhoven chose an English speaking Jewish woman as his administrator. Jews were not accepted with open arms into the South African community, especially not Jews from Eastern Europe, the area where Sarah and her family came from. Anti-semitic feelings amongst the Afriaans population were especially strong during the thirties and forties. It was during this time, in 1932, that Sarah received the job as administrator. The period of research stretches from 1889 to 1975, from Sarah's birth to her death. A look is taken at the changing South African attitude towards Jews during Sarah's life. The role and position of the Afrikanerwomen during this time is also investigated. Oudtshoorn, the town in which Langenhoven lived and where the friendship between him and Sarah started, will also be put under the spotlight. Many Jews settled in this town and played an active part in the Oudtshoorn community. Not only the South African attitude towards Jews and women will be discussed, but also Langenhoven's and Sarah's personal perspectives on these subjects. Both their friendship and work relationship will be discussed. Their philosophy of life and their relationship will cast light on the reasons why Langenhoven finally decided to appoint Sarah as the administrator of his literary works. Sarah's greatest achievements were directly involved with Langenhoven. Opinions differ about the influence Sarah had on the way the South African community saw Langenhoven. The work as administrator for the literary works was not all Sarah did. Therefore a review on Sarah's contribution to the Afrikaans language and culture is also provided. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In 1932 is die bekende Afrikaanse skrywer en politikus, C.J. Langenhoven, op Oudtshoorn in sy huis Arbeidsgenot oorlewe. In sy testament het hy vir Sarah Goldblatt as administratrise van sy letterkundige nalatenskap aangewys. Sarah, 'n Joodse vrou, het in 1897 saam met haar gesin na die Kaap geïmmigreer en die in die studie word ondersoek ingestel na die redes waarom Langenhoven hierdie vrou as sy administratrise aangewys het. Suid-Afrika het nie altyd die Jode met ope arms ontvang nie, veral nie Jode vanuit Oos-Europa, die gebied waarvan Sarah en haar gesin afkomstig was, nie. Spesifiek gedurende die dertiger- en veertigerjare was daar 'n sterk antisemitiese gevoelonder Afrikanergeledere teenwoordig. Dit was juis in 1932 wat Sarah die taak as administratrise opgelê is. Die tydperk waarna daar gekyk word is breedweg vanaf 1889 tot 1975, Sarah se lewensjare. Op hierdie manier word daar na die veranderende Suid- Afrikaanse houding teenoor Jode gekyk gedurende Sarah se lewe. Daar word ook na die rol en posisie van die Afrikanervrou gekyk om dieselfde rede gekyk. Oudtshoorn, die dorp waarop Langenhoven homself gevestig het en waar sy en Sarah se vriendskap begin het word onder die soeklik geplaas. 'n Groot getal Jode het hulleself in die dorp gevestig en hulle het 'n daadwerklike impak op die Oudtshoornse gemeenskap uitgeoefen. Hierdie ondersoek is nodig om te sien waarom dit so vreemd was vir In Joodse vrou en In Afrikaner man, om so In spesiale vriendskap te kon deel. Nie alleen die Suid-Afrikaanse houding teenoor die Jood en die vrou word ondersoek nie, maar daar word ook na Langenhoven en Sarah se onderskeie houdings teenoor die sake gekyk. Beide hulle werks- en vriendskapsverhouding word ondersoek. Altwee se lewensuitkyk en hulle verhouding werp lig op die redes waarom Langenhoven uiteindelik sou besluit om Sarah as sy administratrise aan te stel. Sarah se grootste werk hou verband met Langenhoven. Opinies verskiloor die uitwerking wat sy op sy nagedagtenis gehad het. Haar werk as administratrise was egter nie al wat Sarah verrig het nie. 'n Oorsig oor Sarah se bydraes tot die Afrikaner taal en kultuur word dus ook blootgelê.

The Domestic Workers Skills Development Project, funded by the National Skills Fund, was designed to improve the skill levels of domestic workers in South Africa. It also was intended to address their historical lack of education and to advance their socio-economic circumstances. This study investigates the implementation of this project within the framework of community development. Basadi Pele Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation, was a participant in this project. The central question was how to empower marginalised women through skills development. This implies a learning process for domestic workers and all involved. Different learning theories are investigated to develop an understanding of how these illiterate adult women learned during this opportunity. The conclusion reached by this study is that a gender sensitive environment, created by government institutions and the NGO involved, enabled domestic workers to change their lives and circumstances; enhancing this project and contributing to its success. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / South Africa has the largest percentage of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world. However, the response against the further spread of HIV/AIDS in the country is being hindered by stigma and discrimination. In order to develop effective intervention programmes to control and reduce the further spread of the disease, it is first important to understand the nature of HIV/AIDS-related stigma and especially how people construct it. In the present study, the social construction of HIV/AIDS-related stigma among Muslims was investigated because high levels of stigma were found in this group. This was fuelled partly by the belief that HIV/AIDS was not a serious problem amongst Muslims. Two focus groups were conducted, one among Muslim women only and the second among Muslim men only. The main aim of the study was to examine the perceptions of HIV/AIDS-related stigma among Muslims. The transcripts were analyzed using thematic content analysis to determine the themes that emerged from the research material. The main findings of the study included that Muslims&rsquo; religious identity/positioning was the most salient discourse that informed how they understood, made meaning of, and responded to HIV/AIDS. They engaged in various forms of stigma such as &lsquo;othering&rsquo;, and mediating factors of stigma included religious positioning. Stigma also served as a social barrier to VCT and disclosure of HIV status. However, supportive attitudes and behaviours were also evident. The findings yielded useful insights into possible elements of intervention programmes, both to reduce HIV/AIDS-related stigma, and also to encourage behavioural change in order to control and reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in this community. / South Africa

Agriculture plays a significant role in South Africa’s export earning and in providing employment opportunities. Amongst the major agricultural crops is citrus. Within the context of postmodern and feminist geographies and utilizing the intensive research design, this thesis discusses citrus production with a focus on growers and black women workers in the Kat River Valley area in Fort Beaufort, Eastern Cape. The thesis also explores the challenges and implications of restructuring within agriculture for growers, cooperatives and labour within the citrus industry. It is argued that whilst legislation related to labour and tenure within agriculture has changed since the mid-1990s, power relations in the citrus industry have remained firmly entrenched. Consequently, the flexible labour strategies that the citrus farmers adopted have had serious consequences for women worker

South Africa is a very violent society, where violence is often used as a social resource to maintain control and establish authority. Global and local research suggests that there is a high prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV), a facet of this violence, although little research has been conducted into the effects of IPV during pregnancy in the South African non-governmental organisation (NGO) context. NGOs globally and in South Africa have attempted to address IPV and IPV during pregnancy by providing services that aim to assist (largely female) clients emotionally and logistically. In light of this phenomenon, this qualitative study presents data generated through the use of a lightly-structured narrative interview schedule. The interviews were conducted over three sessions with eight counsellors, all based at two NGOs in South Africa and experienced in counselling women who have suffered IPV and IPV during pregnancy. This study used Taylor and Littleton’s (2006) narrative-discursive analytical lens, infused with theoretical insights from Foucault about power, discourse and narrative in order to identify the discursive resources that shape the narratives that the counsellors shared in the interviews and how these translate into subject positions and (gendered) power relations of the men and women about whom they speak. Six discursive resources emerged from the narratives, namely a discourse of ‘traditional “African” culture’, ‘patriarchal masculinity’, ‘nurturing femininity’, ‘female victimhood’, ‘female survivorhood’ and ‘human rights’. These informed the three main narratives that emerged: narratives about IPV in general, IPV during pregnancy, and the counsellors’ narratives about their intervention strategies. Within these narratives (and the micro-narratives which comprised them), men were largely positioned as subscribing to violent patriarchal behaviour whilst women were mostly positioned as nurturing and victims of this violence. The counsellors also constructed women as largely ignorant of their options about IPV and IPV during pregnancy; they constructed these phenomena as problems that require intervention and identified a number of factors that indicate what successful IPV interventions should entail. In reflecting upon this analysis, this study also aimed to address the questions of what is achieved or gained by using these narratives and discursive resources, what the significance or consequences are of constructing and using these particular narratives and discourses and whether different narratives or discourses would have been possible. Recommendations for further research includes incorporating more sites as well as interviewing perpetrators and IPV survivors themselves, perhaps in their home language where relevant rather than English, to gain a broader and more faceted understanding of the dynamics surrounding IPV during pregnancy. A recommendation for practice in intervention against IPV during pregnancy is to introduce more holistic/systemic intervention strategies and working with communities to address this issue.