Masters Degrees (Journalism)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Journalism) by browse.metadata.advisor "Gouws, Amanda"

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    Homosocial Capital and the substantive representation of women in the South African Parliament
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-03) Thomson, Robyn; Gouws, Amanda; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Political Science.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Since the 1970s, the number of women employed within political institutions has risen dramatically. The fast-track approach of developing nations has meant that, in one election cycle, political institutions in some countries have reached a critical mass of women. Advocates of critical mass claim that once women make up 30 per cent of an organisation, they have the necessary numbers in order to play a role ininfluencing the outcomes of the institution. These advocates argue that, in such a case, the descriptive representation of women can lead to substantive gains. However, this argument does not hold true for theParliament of South Africa. Despite the fact that the parliament consists of 46 per cent women, nearing gender parity in the 2019 election, the substantive representation of women and their interests remain limited.The current study has investigated the role that homosocial capital (the social capital existing between members of the same gender) plays in the ability of parliamentarians to represent the interests of women in the Parliament of South Africa. Although the majority of networks consist of both men and women, homosocial capital networks do exist. Men’s networks appear across the institution at a leadership level, where power is concentrated. However, although women’s homosocial capital networks are broad enough to circumvent men’s networks, they lack the same power and are compromised by partisan identities. Men’s homosocial capital networks influence the substantive representation of women by establishing a masculine culture within the institution. This culture values portfolios that are traditionally dominated by men. On the other hand, portfolios that are seen to be soft politics are considered to be the political backwater of the institution. Although parliamentarians have the support and resources to represent women and their interests, overall, members of parliament (MPs) lack the interest and motivation to do so. Furthermore, women parliamentarians, in this study, have found the institution of parliament to be a difficult arena, where their gender has not been to their benefit. Without the political will and focus from leaders and representatives, the substantive representation of women’s interests remains lacking, despite the significant number of women employed within the institution. In order for women’s interests to be addressed adequately, it is necessary for emphasis and value to be placed on what is considered to be ‘soft politics’. A shift in the culture of the institution is needed, and power needs to be redistributed in order to counteract and transform the current circumstances in parliament. Without this shift and Increased value being placed on women’s interests, it remains unlikely that the parliament will be able to bring about the change that is needed in order to overcome gender inequality in South African society.