GENDER BASED E-PROCUREMENT WITHIN THE CITY OF JOHANNESBURG METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY

Abstract

Municipalities in South Africa are expected to utilise their purchasing processes to promote gender equality. A key external goal of municipal procurement is to redress inequalities through economic opportunities and economic equity to the benefit of both men and women. Currently, most municipalities are transforming their services through electronic mode, resulting in the use of e-procurement processes which link business-to-business, business-to-consumer, and business-togovernment via information and communication technologies. Using a Gender and Development (GAD) Approach, this article aims to assess the level of gender inclusivity in the municipal e-procurement processes in the City of Johannesburg as a case study. Among the questions raised in the article are whether gender mainstreaming is considered in the municipal procurement processes; and if there are any initiatives in place to capacitate men and women to ensure their participation in the e-procurement processes. The review of literature and official documents forms part of the desktop conceptual and theoretical analysis. Utilising qualitative, descriptive and analytical research approaches, the article explores the need for gender mainstreaming in the municipal e-procurement value chain processes such as e-informing, e-tendering and vendor management. The article then offers policy implications and suggestions for improvement.

Keywords

• capacity building, e-procurement, gender, information and communication technologies, municipal procurement.