GENDER MAINSTREAMING IN LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES: A SOUTH AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE

Year 2017, Volume: 9 Issue: 2, 167 - 180, 01.06.2017

Shikha Vyas-doorgapersad

Abstract

The United Nations Millennium Development Goal [MDG] (Goal 1; Poverty
reduction) in South Africa had not achieved all of its set targets. There are still
economic disparities complemented by a wide ranging pollution-to-unemployment
ratio creating gender-differentiation in poverty outcomes. MDG Goal 3 (Gender
equality and women empowerment) also existed in isolation and was not explicitly
aligned with other goals. The post-MDG review led to the establishment of
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (Goal 1: poverty elimination and Goal 6:
gender equality). In order to eradicate poverty and advance economic
empowerment of households, the Local Economic Development (LED) programme
has since been implemented in South African municipalities. The aim of the article
is to explore the missing element of gender in development policies and goals. The
purpose therefore is to align gender to local economic development in
municipalities. A qualitative research design was planned to gather relevant
information. A review of LED documents explores the gender exclusion in the LED
processes. Gender differences, inequality, unequal access to resources, and unequal
employment opportunities may lead to economic collapse. The article offers
recommendations for improvement.

Keywords

gender, gender equality, gender mainstreaming, local economic development, poverty, sustainable development