At the Coalface – Gender and Local Government in Southern Africa

The first in-depth study on gender and local government in Southern Africa explores why some countries have succeeded in dramatically increasing women’s participation at the local level and the difference this makes where it matters most – on the ground.

With a growing number of Southern African countries from different political and electoral backgrounds showing that gender parity can be achieved in local government, there is no longer any excuse for any country in the region not to achieve this goal. However, if women are to make a difference in this sphere of decision-making – the “coalface” of service delivery – far more needs to be done to strengthen local government and to integrate gender considerations into its work.
These are the key findings of a ground breaking new study on gender and local government in Southern Africa to be released on 22 March by Gender Links, a Southern African NGO that specialises in gender, governance and the media.
Over a year in the making, the study included interviews with 478 councilors in four Southern African countries.