Exploring how women’s social capital in rural areas can inform the development of policy as a source of agency for empowerment
Date
2019
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Consortium of Public Administration (ACPA)
Abstract
This article argues that social capital for purposes of women’s empowerment is
important for developing policies that are aimed to uplift women and communities
in rural areas. It is widely known that South Africa has entrenched notions of gender
equality and women’s empowerment in constitutional law. The authors will illustrate
the disjuncture between law and policy pertaining to the empowerment of women
in rural areas of South Africa. This disjuncture could have a negative impact on the
prospects of development for women who reside in rural areas of South Africa. The
argument advanced is that the strengthening of policy for women’s empowerment
in rural South Africa should be in tandem with the Constitution. In doing so, framing
policy on women’s empowerment in South Africa should be strengthened with
reference to the existing social capital held by women in rural areas. In other words,
the enablement that comes with shared values and norms within women’s networks
should inform policy as an agency for the empowerment of women in rural South
Africa. This article is written at a time when South Africa goes through law reform
on land and property rights, which have an effect on women who reside in rural
areas. It will therefore speak to the type of policy that needs to be developed, referencing
social capital in order to give effect to women’s empowerment in rural areas.
Description
CITATION: Teleki, M. & Pillay, P. 2019. Exploring how women’s social capital in rural areas can inform the development of policy as a source of agency for empowerment. African Journal of Public Affairs, 11(2):128-146.
The original publication is available at https://journals.co.za
The original publication is available at https://journals.co.za
Keywords
Gender equality, Diversity in the workplace -- South Africa, Employee empowerment -- South Africa, Rural women -- Employment -- South Africa, Social capital (Sociology) -- South Africa
Citation
Teleki, M. & Pillay, P. 2019. Exploring how women’s social capital in rural areas can inform the development of policy as a source of agency for empowerment. African Journal of Public Affairs, 11(2):128-146