A conceptual policy implementation framework for poverty alleviation of women in selected municipalities in the North West Province

Abstract

The study focuses on the poverty alleviation of women and, coincidentally, the empowerment of women. Women in developing countries carry the burden of poverty to a greater extent than those in developed nations with most residing in rural areas. The North West Province is the locus of this study and, more specifically, the Ratlou Local Municipality and the Greater Taung Local Municipality, both located in rural areas and regarded as some of the poorest municipalities in the North West Province. The following research problem was investigated: Despite an array of international, continental, regional and national attempts made towards the alleviation of poverty among women; the myriad of legislation and policies formulated for the empowerment of women; and several mechanisms and programmes developed for this purpose, women in the rural areas of the North West Province continue to experience grave poverty. The study is embedded in a theoretical framework of Feminist theories, viz. Radical Feminist Theory; Liberal Feminist Theory; Social Feminist Theory; and Black Feminist Theory. The Feminist theories explicate the oppression, inequality, patriarchy, sociocultural barriers, and intersectional challenges experienced by women and how these relate to poverty among women. In addition, the theoretical framework guiding the study includes Social Exclusion Theory; Structural Theory; and Individualistic Theory. These three theories respectively clarify social barriers, systemic impediments and individual deficiencies that intensify poverty. In addition, a statutory and regulatory framework of international, continental, regional and national legislation and policies, aimed at poverty alleviation and the empowerment of women were reviewed. Furthermore, socio-economic factors and causes that contribute to the poverty levels of women in the North West Province were considered, including, but not limited to challenges such as unpaid domestic responsibilities, household income, educational opportunities, poor healthcare services, housing variables, inadequate access to basic amenities, economic opportunities, and spatial challenges unique to rural areas. The study adopted a constructivist ontology, an interpretivist epistemology and a qualitative research approach. For the empirical investigation, semi-structured personal interviews were conducted with the Senior Management Service (SMS) members form the following provincial departments: Social Development; Rural, Environmental and Agricultural Development; and Local Government and Human Settlements. The results revealed that socio-economic factors influence women by exposing them to a multi-dimensionality of poverty. It was further discovered that the most significant factors that restrict the empowerment of women and sustain poverty among women are the lack of education, illiteracy and a lack of skills; unemployment; lack of opportunities; household responsibilities; gender discrimination; lack of financial power; the spatial segregation of rural areas; substance abuse; and a high rate of childbearing. Education emerged as a key factor to poverty among women, particularly to women in rural areas whose living conditions exacerbate challenges to educational opportunities. Moreover, the empirical investigation revealed that, despite considerable legislation, policies, mechanisms and programmes, aimed at poverty alleviation among women and the empowerment of women, the lack of a policy implementation framework for the poverty alleviation of women in the North West Province further compounds the problem. Subsequently, this study developed a conceptual policy implementation framework for the poverty alleviation of women in the North West Province to facilitate the implementation of the legislation and policies pertaining to poverty alleviation. The policy implementation framework advocates for the involvement of women living in poverty in the implementation of poverty alleviation efforts. The policy implementation framework identifies barriers and provides solutions to the effective and efficient implementation of policy alleviation programmes for women in the North West Province, particularly for those in the RLM and the GTLM.