Effectiveness of the National Gender Policy in ensuring women's participation in decision making among Tertiary Learning Institutions in Zambia: The case of the National Institute of Public Administration and Evelyn Hone College

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Date
2014-02-14
Authors
Mwila, Patricia
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Abstract
The vision of the National Gender Policy (NGP) was to achieve gender equity at all levels of decision making in the Zambian political economy. Institutions of higher learning occupy a very important role in the socio-economic development of Zambia and are critically affected by gender policy issues. The problem of low recruitment and promotion of women to decision making levels is a product of society which regarded education and professional advancement for women as less important than that of men. Although the Government of the Republic of Zambia adopted and began implementing the 2003-2007 Strategic Plan of Action for the National Gender Policy, the extent to which the organizations, particularly institutions of higher learning have addressed the 30% representation at management /decision making levels has been largely uncertain. The aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of the National Gender Policy in achieving 30% representation of women in decision making, and management positions at the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) and Evelyn Hone College. This research employed both qualitative and qualitative survey research approaches. The target population comprised general employees and decision makers at NIPA and Evelyn Hone College. The sample consisted of 50 ordinary employees and 5 decision makers from each institution, adding the total sample to 60. Purposive sampling was used. A questionnaire and semi-structured interview were used to collect data from the field. Constant comparative and descriptive statistics were used to analyze primary data. Based on the findings, it was concluded that the NGP had not been effective in ensuring women’s representation in decision making. It was also established that there were a number of factors that inhibited the attainment of the 30% women representation in decision making positions. These factors were complex, interdependent and systemic in nature. The constraints mainly bordered on poor implementation structures and strategies. Recommendations have been premised in relation to further research, policy implementation, advocacy and formulation.
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Gender-Zambia , Decision Making-Zambia
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