Gender mainstreaming and participation of women in governance: a case of nebbi district local government

Abstract

This study analysed women’s participation in governance in Nebbi District alter the introduction of Gender Mainstreaming Policy. Effective women’s participation in governance in Nebbi District Local government has remained low in spite of this policy. Data was collected from 112 Respondents, who are district Leaders, Gender staff members, Councillors, key in formants, and members or some women groups, using questionnaires, interview guides and focus group discussion guides to come up with this report. The results from questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions and desk review showed that Institutional Factors, Capacity Building and Gender Responsive Budgeting affect women's participation in governance in Nebbi District Local Government. Analysis of qualitative and quantitative data collected showed that the failure of Gender Mainstreaming to address these factors has rendered the reforms ineffective in addressing women's participation in governance in the District. The results indicate that women's participation in governance in Nebbi District is still let down by factors such as lack of sufficient organizational commitment to the vision of gender equality and women's rights, failure of the District to ensure strengthening women's ability to meet their practical needs strategically, and to allocate resources accordingly. The study results suggest that if women's strategic gender interests were met, women would be able to meet their own practical gender needs. The study shows that areas such as institutional factors, capacity building and gender responsive budgeting are central and key to the strategic positioning of women and ignoring them translates into a superficial implementation of the Gender Mainstreaming Policy and leaves women still largely unable to participate effectively in governance. The study recommends policies that support more women in governance and tackling female education challenge to encourage more girls to go to school, among others.