Status quo of gender inequality in South African Municipalities

Abstract

Gender disparity is a significant issue that is clearly present in South African municipalities. Municipalities play an important role in providing services to individuals based on their needs and expectations because they are the level of government closest to the people. Gender inequality poses a barrier within municipalities due to discrimination, a lack of gender mainstreaming, a lack of gender policies, and a lack of women's empowerment, limiting women's capacity to contribute to civic life and municipal duties that guide the nation's growth. Inequality between the sexes makes it more difficult for women to support themselves, creating socioeconomic problems in their communities and additional issues for the government to address to ensure effective, efficient, economical, fair, and inclusive governance. This article aims to highlight areas of concern that the government could address through policies by focusing on gender disparities in South African local government from a policy standpoint. Using a qualitative desktop analysis, the article collects information under various themes. The goal is to advise local governments on ensuring gender equality in all decision-making structures and procedures. It is impossible to overstate the importance of involving local governments in the fight against gender inequality. As a result, a gap in research on gender equality in municipal government must be filled. This article seeks to contribute to this direction by examining several aspects of gender inequality at the local government level in South Africa.