Impact of Women-in-Politics Project on Increasing Women Participation in Decision Making: Case Study of Luangwa District in Zambia.

Kusensio, Mwale Nelson (2022) Impact of Women-in-Politics Project on Increasing Women Participation in Decision Making: Case Study of Luangwa District in Zambia. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

The low women’s participation in politics and decision-making positions has been a concern for many countries. There are many interventions to promote gender equity and equality, however, they have not yielded positive results at the country level. Factors that hinder women’s participation were not known, and no research on the electoral reforms was conducted. The objective was to assess women in politics project in increasing women participation in politics and decision making in Luangwa District. The research used a Quasi-experiment study design. Key informant Interview and desk review methods were used to collect data from 20 Key informants sampled purposively. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. The findings revealed an increase in number of women in decision making positions in party structures, community level and district administration. The project influenced the review of Zambian’s electoral process for the 2021 General Elections. Finally, there other factors which hinder women’s participation in decision making and politics in addition to economic and cultural factors. Therefore, capacity building, community sensitisation, material support, establishment of GEEC, review of party constitutions and policies, and non-political violence campaign are key recommendations. In conclusion, the women in politics project achieved notable results for project objectives. Factors which hinder women’s participation in decision making and politics were noted and need holistic approach to be addressed. Lastly, there is urgent need to establish the GEEC to enforce and compel the implementation of Gender Equity and Equality Act of 2015. Keywords: Politics; Decision-making positions; Women’s political Participation; Women’s participation in decision making; Cultural Factors; Economic Factors; and Legal Framework.

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