Lived realities: Empowerment gaps and opportunities for women living in rural communities in South Africa

The research sought to explore the challenges and empowerment gaps women face in rural communities in South Africa and to make recommendations for improving their quality of life. Specifically, the study had the following objectives:

• Identify the main challenges women face in rural communities and how these can be addressed;

• Highlight the laws and policies that govern women's empowerment in rural communities in South Africa;

• Assess how women in rural communities are involved in development planning and implementation at local and national levels.

• Explore government-led initiatives aimed at rural communities in general and rural women in particular;

• Explore factors that affect rural women's agency and participation in empowerment initiatives in their communities;

• Identify opportunities and make recommendations for improving women's quality of life in rural communities. The importance and significance of this study lies in the fact that its findings could be used to accelerate improvement of the conditions and circumstances of women in rural areas. It also highlights why the government's efforts may have failed, or at least may not have helped, to transform women's situation in rural areas.

 

800750 CSVR Rural Women in SA WEB

CSVR is a multi-disciplinary institute that seeks to understand and prevent violence, heal its effects and build sustainable peace at the community, national and regional levels.