The study investigates the role of women in development which is a favourite topic of the researcher. It investigates some aspects of the process of development involving women. It is obvious that the research was provoked by the legal framework directed at the transformation agenda that represents the democratic process of the country. The role of women, in other sectors, who were excluded from issues of community management, politics and government of the country, became obvious for the researcher due to their strategic role in society which is being undermined. The above view poses the challenge of power-sharing with men. This constituted a huge challenge that emanated from a stereotypical perspective and the fear of the unknown. Considerable pieces of legislation, policies, convention resolutions, conferences and publications became catalysts to intervene in the traditional challenge based on the societal construction. This, to the researcher, presents a clear historical anomaly where government has to address all the streamlining and implementation of policies. There should be sustainability through an Integrated Development Plan. The aim of the historical background of women, as envisaged by the study, is to highlight a contextualised role of women in the development of the transformation process and investigate numerous reasons that impede participation and the readiness of government in addressing these issues. Some questions that the researcher had to as relate to; What the impediments causing non-participation of women are; What elements contribute to the participation of women; What government strategies have unlocked non-participation of women; Why women’s contribution is critical to development; What strategies are deployed by government for women’s involvement? What the socio-economic benefits of participation by women are. It is the researcher’s opinion that the municipality should be complimented on its endeavours. However, they need to establish a strategic programme for empowering women to participate in development as a human rights issue.

Women remain notably underrepresented in management and leadership positions despite the enactment of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action policies. A critical literature review yielded evidence of a multitude of barriers inhibiting women’s career advancement beyond an apparent glass ceiling, but not which of the factors constitute the major barriers. A knowledge gap was further identified in research pertaining to characteristics of successful professional women and the environments that enable them to succeed in their professions. The purpose of the current study is to expand the empirical body of research and knowledge on factors contributing to the success of professional women, and of factors inhibiting the career progression of women in business. The study extends that of Punnett, Duffy, Fox, Gregory, Lituchy, Monserrat, Olivas-Luján and Santos (2006) and of Duffy, Fox, Punnett, Gregory, Lituchy, Monserrat, Olivas-Luján, Santos and Miller (2006), conducted in the Americas, to the South African context. The study suggests a conceptual framework for investigating factors that influence professional success of women. The developed conceptual framework of factors perceived to influence professional success was employed to empirically test the relationships between the variables presented. The empirical data collected was subjected to a series of statistical tests and the results considered in testing the hypotheses. Statistica 10 was employed to analyse the empirical data collected. Univariate and multivariate tests (MANOVA) were employed to determine whether sufficient evidence existed to make conclusions about hypotheses one to five of the study, relating to differences between two success groups of women based on their demographics and the selected variables. Pearson Product Moment Correlation (Pearson r) was employed to determine whether sufficient evidence existed to make conclusions about vi hypotheses six to ten, relating to significant relationships between the selected independent variables for the study and the professional success of women. Professional success was measured as job seniority level. For the pipeline success group, professional success was measured as seniority in relation to years in the employment sector and age. The contribution of the study to management science and possible limitations are discussed and recommendations made for future research. Recommendations for the development of women and for the social transformation of organisations are made. The study identifies a number of internal organisational support factors and government interventions which are recommended for inclusion in development initiatives for the achievement of gender equity.

Masters of Science / There is evidence of the rising incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases of lifestyle in developing countries. It is estimated that by 2020 chronic diseases of lifestyle in Sub-Saharan Africa will be almost 50% of the burden of disease. Rapid urbanization with changes in lifestyle, such as physical activity patterns could explain at least partially the ongoing epidemiological transition. The purpose of this study was to assess levels of participation in physical activity among working Rwandan women in Kigali, in relation to socio-economic demographic characteristics. A cross-sectional study design using both quantitative and qualitative methods was used. Participants' level of participation in physical activity and influence of socio-economic demographic factors on questionnaire adapted from Sub-Saharan African Questionnaire. A focus group discussion assessed the need for a health promotion program related to physical activity participation among working women. Data analysis, using Statistical analysis version 8e, was used to obtain frequency tables and histograms. Chisquare tests and Fisher's exact tests were utilized to test for association between variables. Focus group discussion data were transcribed and translated into English. Data were then coded and put into themes and categories. There were 352 participants, with a mean age of 33.4 years. 71.9% of the participants were classified as sedentary and only 28.1 % of the participants were classified as physically active. Participation in physical activity decreased with age, and there were more participants classified as sedentary people in the married group (77%) than in non-married group (63.2%). A lower level of education and income of participants, the higher the level of participation in physical activity. Among the reported prevalence of chronic diseases, high blood pressure and diabetes were only reported by participants classified as sedentary. During the focus group discussion, participants reported facilitators and benefits of physical activity including, routine, relaxation, socialization and fitness, managing obesity and health purposes. Barriers limiting the participants' ability to engage in physical activity included lack of time, lack of knowledge, laziness, domestic helper, lack of motivation and culture. The main themes, which were identified as important in the development of a health promotion program were: The education and encouragement of girl children; education of women in the community, finding facilities and appropriate venues, a suitable environment and the contribution of physical activity program towards unity and reconciliation was emphasised. The findings of this study demonstrate a problem concerning sedentary lifestyle among the working women in Kigali/Rwanda. It is alarming that the participants who are already classified as sedentary and who will probably experience the consequences of sedentary lifestyle in the future are already reporting chronic diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes. There is therefore an urgent need to design, implement and evaluate a health promotion intervention aimed at promoting a physically active lifestyle in Rwanda.

This thesis examines the integration of gender concerns into development planning in the non-profit sector through a case study of planning a development program in a non-profit nongovernmental organization. The dependent variable of the study is the degree of "gender sensitivity," the extent to which gender concerns are taken into account in the planning process of a development program. The thesis constructs evaluative and explanatory frameworks on the basis of recent research to be used to examine a gender-sensitive planning process for NGOs in general and in the case study in particular. The evaluative framework distinguishes among three dimensions that are evaluated in the planning process: design process, plan for implementation, and policy approach. The degree of gender sensitivity determined by applying the evaluative framework is then explained by examining five explanatory factors: organizational goals, structures, personnel, environment, and resources. Finally, the conclusion suggests strategies for improving the gender sensitivity of the planning process. / Master of Arts

This dissertation explored perceptions of the link between religion and the feminization of poverty amongst research participants attached to the Johane Marange Church of Seke area in Zimbabwe. The study sought to explore whether the practices in the Johane Marange church exacerbated the feminization of poverty. A qualitative research approach was selected. Data included documentary sources, notes from observation, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. It is found that according to the research participants, some of the church’s traditions may drive the feminization of poverty in the area. In particular, the church’s stance concerning young women’s participation in higher education, people’s health-seeking behaviour, its own understanding of the causes of and treatment for HIV and AIDS, its encouragement of early age at marriage for women and support of the practice of widow inheritance all contribute to a deepening feminization of poverty / Development Studies / M. A. (Development Studies)

Thesis (MPhil (Sustainable Development Planning and Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / Cultural dynamics bring an added dimension to development projects. The Department of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG) recognizes the need to engage with power relations at different levels between men and women, and that traditional beliefs and practices are important here. However, the most recent strategy of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) fails to address the impact of cultural dynamics on gender mainstreaming. This study was conducted to increase the understanding of how this might be dealt with. To yield personal information on how individuals are affected by traditional culture, narratology was used. Five women were engaged in three in-depth interviews of approximately two hours each. The purpose was to discuss their life stories and their involvement in the water projects, and then to integrate the life stories with the projects to highlight complexities around specific roles such as that of daughter, wife and development facilitator. The researcher therefore conducted the study from the point of view of the women, rather than from the traditional perspective of the development practitioner or government official. The empirical results were related to literature reviewed on topics such as complexity, feminism and sustainability. Thus, it was possible to highlight underlying complexities related to culture that might impact on gender mainstreaming in the following areas: (1) Women’s time and labour (2) Women’s power within African societies (3) The Butterfly effect in women’s lives (4) Fundamental human desires in women’s lives (5) Utilising social capital (6) The approach of funding and donor organizations (7) Society as a complex system (8) The effects of migration on women’s lives Some aspects highlighted by the study are the following. Development and funding organizations often use a one-size-fits-all individualistic approach whereas the societies they work in have a more collective mindset. Furthermore, women’s time and labour are exploited by the developmental organizations as rural women offer their services voluntarily. And in African society mothering boys is a source of power for women, which influences resource allocation. In terms of a recommended approach to addressing the impact of traditional culture on gender mainstreaming, it was found that a practitioner does not have to tackle traditional culture head-on by for instance proposing defiance against certain norms. Rather, the practitioner should obtain information about the wider system (the society, the prevailing culture and the project context) to provide insight into how women are affected and how the system might be manipulated to eventually bring about the desired changes for the specific context. The processes of change in culture and gender relations must be viewed as on-going and exact time-frames are usually not appropriate in measuring such. As the study emphasized the importance of both men and women working together on projects, a limitation of the current study is that it focused only on the stories of women. A follow-up study should include the views and stories of how gender mainstreaming and traditional culture impact on men.

Thesis (MPhil (Public Management and Planning))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The research was conducted to explore the experiences of people living with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (PLWAs), especially women, as well as the factors influencing their non-participation in development projects aimed at improving their socio-economic status. The study was conducted amongst PLWAs who are members of the Tembisa Main Clinic and Winnie Mandela Clinic support groups in Tembisa, South Africa. The researcher was motivated to conduct the research because in her work as a social worker she is confronted daily with PWLAs who are from disadvantaged backgrounds and are struggling to make ends meet. Initiatives have been undertaken to try and encourage self–reliance and improve the health status of these women by developing food gardens to provide them with fresh vegetables and possible income sources from these gardens. The reluctance of members of two support groups of PLWAs to stay involved in these projects encouraged the researcher to explore these issues. The researcher consulted various sources to obtain literature on the factors influencing non-participation in development projects. In addition she undertook a qualitative study, wherein twenty participants participated. The data from this study was then interpreted and compared to the literature. The findings of this study highlighted several factors such as discrimination, local beliefs, stigma and lack of support, which influence the non- participation of PWLAs in sustainable development projects. The findings of this research also indicate that developments projects often fail to thrive because of topdown decisions about the projects, the fact that there is no start-up funding available for the projects and participants who become demotivated to participate. The research therefore concludes with recommendations in order to address these problems. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die navorsing is onderneem om die ondervinding van mense, veral vroue, wat met Verworwe Immuniteitsgebrek Sindroom (VIGS) lewe, te ondersoek, asook die faktore wat hulle daarvan weerhou om deel te neem aan ontwikkelingsprojekte wat daarop gemik is om hul sosio-ekonomiese status te verbeter. Die studie is onderneem onder pasiënte wat lede was van ondersteuningsgroepe by Tembisa Hoofkliniek en Winnie Mandela Kliniek in Tembisa, Suid-Afrika. Die navorser is gemotiveerd om die studie te onderneem omdat sy daagliks in haar werk as sosiale werker gekonfronteer is deur mense wat met VIGS lewe, wat uit minder bevoorregte agtergronde kom en wat sukkel om te oorleef. Inisiatiewe is onderneem om hierdie vroue se selfstandigheid te bevorder en om hul gesondheidstatus te verbeter deur groente tuine te ontwikkel om hulle van vars groente te verskaf, asook moontlike inkomstebronne uit hierdie tuine. Die onwilligheid van die lede van twee ondersteuningsgroepe om in hierdie projekte betrokke te bly, het die navorser aangemoedig om hierdie aangeleentheid verder te ondersoek. Die navorser het verskeie bronne geraadpleeg om literatuur te verkry oor die faktore wat die nie-deelname in ontwikkelingsprojekte beïnvloed. Sy het ook kwalitatiewe studie onderneem waaraan twintig respondente deelgeneem het. Die data van hierdie navorsing is daarna geïnterpreteer en met die literatuur vergelyk. Die bevindinge van hierdie navorsing het verskeie faktore uitgelig wat die niedeelname beïnvloed van mense wat met VIGS lewe, soos diskriminasie, plaaslike gelowe, stigma en gebrek aan ondersteuning. Die navorsing het ook bevind dat ontwikkelingsprojekte dikwels nie floreer nie as gevolg van die ‘topdown’ besluitneming oor die projekte en omdat daar nie genoegsame vooraf befondsing beskikbaar is vir die projekte nie en die deelnemers dus demotiveer om verder deel te neem. Die navorsing sluit dus af met voorstelle om hierdie probleme aan te spreek.

No abstract available. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

This dissertation explored perceptions of the link between religion and the feminization of poverty amongst research participants attached to the Johane Marange Church of Seke area in Zimbabwe. The study sought to explore whether the practices in the Johane Marange church exacerbated the feminization of poverty. A qualitative research approach was selected. Data included documentary sources, notes from observation, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. It is found that according to the research participants, some of the church’s traditions may drive the feminization of poverty in the area. In particular, the church’s stance concerning young women’s participation in higher education, people’s health-seeking behaviour, its own understanding of the causes of and treatment for HIV and AIDS, its encouragement of early age at marriage for women and support of the practice of widow inheritance all contribute to a deepening feminization of poverty / Development Studies / M. A. (Development Studies)

Rural women in Zimbabwe are disproportionately represented among the poor. Among the interventions taken to mitigate the poverty suffered by women is the concept of income-generating projects (lGPs). Government, non-governmental organisations and donor agencies support the IGPs. After years of channeling resources through the IGPs to alleviate the poverty of mostly rural women, it is necessary that we take stock of the benefits that have been realised. The aim of this thesis is to identify the benefits and pitfalls of the IGPs in alleviating poverty. A case study of two projects in Chinamora communal lands in Zimbabwe demonstrates that IGPs do provide some benefits to participants and their households. Limited funding for start-up capital and lack of viable markets are among the major impediments to increased benefits. There is evidence that women can successfully organise themselves and explore previously male dominated areas of production such as carpentry. This suggests that IGPs do have the potential to somewhat alleviate poverty. making it necessary for the supporting institutions to seriously consider improving the shortcomings presently plaguing IGPs. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.