The Bureaucratisation of the National Gender Machinery, Circumventing the ‘Red Tape’

Nitasha Ramparsad

doi:10.4102/hts.v75i4.5568

Abstract

The bureaucratisation of the National Gender Machinery (NGM) in South Africa is discussed with a specific focus on documenting the historical formation thereof. This article addresses the barriers to implementation and explains the evolution of gender mainstreaming as a strategy for gender equality. Key recommendations for the effective use of the structures of the NGM are provided with an emphasis on an integrated strategy for the furtherance of gender equality within the South African public service.

Highlights

The South African State has ratified various pieces of legislation internationally and regionally for the furtherance of gender equality
This article assesses the bureaucratisation of the National Gender Machinery (NGM) and argues that the structures of the NGM are plagued by the bureaucracy of the state and it is unable to deliver on its mandate
The NGM was a major entity put in place by the state to address gender equality; the clout given to the NGM remains questionable with many internal role players, such as gender focal points (GFPs), citing lack of resources as a major stumbling block to rollout and integral to this is the assertion that political will is a major factor in unblocking the barriers

Summary

Introduction

The South African State has ratified various pieces of legislation internationally and regionally for the furtherance of gender equality. Equality and gender justice must be placed in all of the critical areas for women and men, rather than viewing this as an end goal for governments to aspire to She further argues that gender mainstreaming must be the foundation for development and democratic processes. The NGM was a major entity put in place by the state to address gender equality; the clout given to the NGM remains questionable with many internal role players, such as GFPs, citing lack of resources as a major stumbling block to rollout and integral to this is the assertion that political will is a major factor in unblocking the barriers These elements will be explored in the concluding section. This will be assessed and discussed in detail

Conclusions and recommendations

Data availability statement