ABSTRACT
This study seeks to contribute to feminist analysis of whether the post-apartheid South
African state represents a model of how the state can advance gender equality. The study
analyses the institutional mechanisms that have been put in place by the South African
government aimed at advancing gender equality. It focuses on the Office on the Status of
Women (OSW) as the entity established within the government to steer the national gender
programme. The role of the OSW is to coordinate the National Gender Machinery (NGM) as
well as to define and develop a gender mainstreaming strategy for government. The study
evaluates the assertion that South Africa serves as a model for advancing gender equality is
justified, by exploring whether the country has overcome the problems associated with
national gender machineries globally or whether it has reproduced them. It points to the fact
that the location of the Office on the Status of Women in the Presidency is strategic as it is at
the centre of government machinery.
The study argues that the value of this has, however, been hampered by various factors.
The OSW’s location in the Presidency has not provided it with the political leverage required
to enforce gender equality. There are four indicators that show that this has not happened.
First is the limited accountability measurer to enforce the fulfilment of existing commitments
in government and between the NGM and civil society organisations. This has limited the
OSW’s effectiveness. Secondly, the gender mainstreaming strategy is largely undefined.
There is a lack of clarity about the roles of the NGM institutions, which tends to lead to
duplication of roles as well as limited strategic reinforcement. The OSW has also been
weakened by limited strategic relationship with civil society organisations. Thirdly, the OSW
has had to operate on a limited budget. This has limited what it has been able to achieve.
Lastly, the National Gender Policy Framework for Women's Empowerment and Gender
Equality, the policy document developed under the auspices of the Office on the Status of
Women, is a relatively weak policy framework for conceptualising women’s subordination, as
well as articulating the overall goal of gender equality. It is further weakened by the fact that
it not enforceable; thus government entities cannot be held accountable for not implementing
it.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/7257 |
| Date | 14 September 2009 |
| Creators | Mvimbi, Ayanda |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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