AN ASSESSMENT OF GENDER MAINSTREAMING IN PROMOTION OF GENDER EQUALITY IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCILS

Abstract

Many developing countries have signed agreements to promote gender equality. One of the strategies that is believed to push countries to achieve total equality is gender mainstreaming. However in as far as countries have implemented this strategy within government institutions gender equality is failing to be achieved in many institutions. This study therefore aimed at assessing gender mainstreaming in promotion of equality in local government councils in Malawi, particularly at Blantyre City Council, Luchenza Municipal Council, Mangochi Town Council and Mwanza District Council. The main objective of the study was to assess gender mainstreaming in promotion of gender equality in the local government councils. Specific objectives of the study were to assess implementation of Gender Mainstreaming in local government councils in Malawi, to analyse effects of gender mainstreaming in Malawi and to explore challenges facing gender mainstreaming in local government councils in Malawi. This was an empirical study based on qualitative research design as a result data was collected through key informant interviews and focus group discussions. The study revealed that implementation of gender mainstreaming in local government authorities in Malawi was generally not systematic due to absence of gender mainstreaming prerequisites and also due to failure to follow prescribed mechanisms of implementation, The study also found that gender mainstreaming was not formally implemented due to lack of political will to enforce it, lack of education which make women fail to qualify for jobs, child marriages which make women marry early and drop from school and Culture which forces people to look down on women and not give room to participate in decision making. Overall the study revealed that gender mainstreaming in local authorities in Malawi government councils was not successful.