Abstract:
Gender representativity in political and managerial positions in local government in
general and women empowerment in particular remain contentious issues. Although
an extensive statutory and regulatory framework for gender equality was established
and despite the fact that specific equity targets are set, it is evident that much more
needs to be done to facilitate women empowerment in the local government sector.
The purpose of this article is to reflect on findings of an empirical survey conducted
amongst female politicians, managers, and experts in the local government sector with
the aim to design the parameters of a competency framework for women empowerment. The results support the fact that a women empowerment competency framework should incorporate various dimensions and elements, notably sector-specific job
requirements, registered gender-based formal programs in the tertiary education sector, as well as content of women empowerment initiatives taken by non-governmental
organizations.
