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How have South Africa’s Climate Governance Integrated Gender Considerations at National and Sub-national Levels?

Yang, Jianqiao LU (2025) SIMZ31 20251
Graduate School
Abstract
This thesis examines how gender is integrated into South Africa’s climate governance and finance systems through a Feminist Political Ecology (FPE) lens. By analyzing seven key national and provincial policy documents using NVivo, the research investigates whether gender-inclusive language is backed by concrete mechanisms such as budgeting, monitoring, and accountability. Findings reveal that while gender-related terms appear in both national strategies and climate finance reports, they are rarely connected to actionable tools. Nearly 80 mentions of gender-tagged funding were identified, yet none were linked to evaluation or oversight structures. Provincial strategies similarly rely on broad language like “vulnerable communities” while... (More)
This thesis examines how gender is integrated into South Africa’s climate governance and finance systems through a Feminist Political Ecology (FPE) lens. By analyzing seven key national and provincial policy documents using NVivo, the research investigates whether gender-inclusive language is backed by concrete mechanisms such as budgeting, monitoring, and accountability. Findings reveal that while gender-related terms appear in both national strategies and climate finance reports, they are rarely connected to actionable tools. Nearly 80 mentions of gender-tagged funding were identified, yet none were linked to evaluation or oversight structures. Provincial strategies similarly rely on broad language like “vulnerable communities” while omitting specific attention to rural women’s needs and leadership. An expert interview with a UN climate-and-gender specialist underscored how gender is often treated as a performative requirement to meet external expectations, rather than a principle embedded in governance. The study concludes that structural reform—particularly around accountability and participation—is essential for advancing gender-equitable climate action. (Less)
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author
Yang, Jianqiao LU
supervisor
organization
course
SIMZ31 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Feminist Political Ecology (FPE), Climate Governance, Gender Equity, Climate Finance, Climate Change, Gender Mainstreaming
language
English
id
9198465
date added to LUP
2025-06-25 14:10:00
date last changed
2025-06-25 14:10:00
@misc{9198465,
  abstract     = {{This thesis examines how gender is integrated into South Africa’s climate governance and finance systems through a Feminist Political Ecology (FPE) lens. By analyzing seven key national and provincial policy documents using NVivo, the research investigates whether gender-inclusive language is backed by concrete mechanisms such as budgeting, monitoring, and accountability. Findings reveal that while gender-related terms appear in both national strategies and climate finance reports, they are rarely connected to actionable tools. Nearly 80 mentions of gender-tagged funding were identified, yet none were linked to evaluation or oversight structures. Provincial strategies similarly rely on broad language like “vulnerable communities” while omitting specific attention to rural women’s needs and leadership. An expert interview with a UN climate-and-gender specialist underscored how gender is often treated as a performative requirement to meet external expectations, rather than a principle embedded in governance. The study concludes that structural reform—particularly around accountability and participation—is essential for advancing gender-equitable climate action.}},
  author       = {{Yang, Jianqiao}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{How have South Africa’s Climate Governance Integrated Gender Considerations at National and Sub-national Levels?}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}