The forgotten ones : a case study of the obstacles that prevent meaningful participation in democratic governance of farm women in the greater Stellenbosch Area, Ceres & Rawsonville
[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research examines the extent of participatory democracy, as outlined in governmentpolicy, with particular relevance to the experiences of women living on farms in the GreaterStellenbosch Area, Ceres and Rawsonville.The study is based on the notion that effective and meaningful political participation in SouthAfrica has happened at the exclusion of many of its poor and marginalised citizens, inparticular poor women living on farms. The research hypothesis holds that various factorsrelating to the socioeconomic conditions and political orientations of farm women contributeto their low levels of participation in democratic governance. The research question thereforeis: what are the obstacles that prevent women living on farms in the Greater StellenboschArea, Ceres and Rawsonville from effective and meaningful participation in participatorydemocracy?In answering the research question, mixed methods of data gathering were employed.Qualitative methods were used, with data-gathering techniques that included modifiedparticipant observation, non-scheduled structured interviews, and a focus group discussion.As relatively little is known of the experiences of farm women, these techniques were allgeared towards better informing the researcher about relevant questions for the quantitativecomponent of the research in the form of a survey.From the findings, the hypothesis that farm women do not participate in a meaningful processof participation was confirmed. The main findings in terms of the obstacles that preventmeaningful participation can be discussed in three categories. Firstly, the research indicatesthat farm women feel that since their opinions are not considered by politicians there is noreason for them to participate in governance. Secondly, because of a lack of capacity andresources critical for optimal participation, the women are also disempowered to notparticipate in politics. Finally, farm women are tired of empty promises and the abuse ofpower by corrupt officials. Hence they have become very cynical of processes that aresupposed to be participatory, but in effect are not authentic at all.In conclusion, although participation is advanced on the basis of the principle of enhancingdemocracy, the lived realities of farm women cannot be ignored. Therefore, it is vital thatparticipation in politics be seen from a holistic perspective, relying on both democraticprinciples and the socioeconomic development of farm women. Through politicaliiiparticipation, farm women must be empowered to become not only democratic citizens, asenvisioned by theorists of participatory democracy, but also capacitated people who live adignified life.
[发布日期] [发布机构] Stellenbosch University
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