Makungo, R.Mwendira, E. J.Daswa, Mpho2026-06-302026-06-302026-05-19Daswa, M. 2026. Development of a framework for addressing gender discrepancies in decision making positions in the water sector in South Africa. . .https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/3317Ph. D. in Hydrology and Water ResourcesDepartment of Earth SciencesThe study developed a framework to address gender discrepancies in decision-making positions within South Africa’s water sector. Gender discrepancies have created a power dynamic in which men hold greater access to resources and leadership roles, resulting in the systematic exclusion of women from key areas of social and economic life. The research assessed women’s participation in projects and programs, as well as their representation as decision-makers in water resource management institutions at local, regional, and national levels. Using secondary data from the Department of Water and Sanitation, Catchment Management Agencies, Water Boards, Water Service Authorities, and Water Service Providers, the study examined the distribution of women across the sector. A mixed‑methods research design was employed to investigate the roles and impact of women in leadership within South Africa’s water sector. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire administered through SurveyMonkey tool and distributed via email. The instrument captured both qualitative and quantitative data across five thematic areas: professional background, challenges encountered, support mechanisms, policy environment, and women’s leadership. Responses were exported to Excel, coded, and categorised to identify key concepts. Reliability of the identified factors was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, with a cut‑off value of 0.4. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted using Statistica (Version 13) to validate the factor structure, requiring at least three items per factor and loadings above 0.4. Additional statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, t‑tests, ANOVA, and multiple regression to examine relationships and differences among variables. Cronbach’s alpha values indicated acceptable reliability for all factors. To address gender discrepancies in leadership and decision-making positions, the study reviewed existing frameworks and subsequently developed a tailored framework for the South African water sector. The developed framework aimed to enhance women’s effective participation in decision making and support the implementation of national water legislation. The development followed a structured process that included situational analysis, stakeholder engagement through surveys, policy and framework review, identification of gaps based on research findings, and formulation of improvement opportunities. Work Environment (WE) = 0.724, Community Environment (CE) = 0.655, and Women Participation (WP) = 0.824. EFA confirmed two valid independent factors, CE and WE with factor loadings ranging from 0.610 to 0.727 for WE and 0.595 to 0.839 for CE. Descriptive statistics showed relatively low mean scores on the seven‑point scale: WE (M = 2.22, SD = 0.95), CE (M = 3.18, SD = 1.14), and WP (M = 2.44, SD = 0.79), with slight variation across responses. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between CE and WP (r = 0.601), while the relationship between WE and WP was weak. Regression analysis confirmed that CE significantly predicted WP (β = 0.580, p < 0.001), whereas WE did not exert a significant influence. ANOVA results showed significant differences in women’s participation based on age (F = 5.43, p = 0.001), educational level (F = 6.38, p = 0.002), organisational size (F = 11.5, p = 0.000), and other demographic and organisational characteristics such as tenure, position, organisational activities, and ownership type. Overall, the findings indicate that community‑level social conditions play a stronger role than workplace conditions in shaping women’s participation in the water sector. The study found that both the WE and CE influence women’s participation in decision making within the water sector, with CE exerting a stronger effect. The resulting framework consists of four elements (policy and gender analysis, empowerment interventions, monitoring and evaluation and policy refinement and institutional learning). Validation results indicated that the framework is usable, dependable, and meets accepted standards. There is a need to implement and further test the developed framework to address gender discrepancies in the water sector.1 online resource (xiv, 165 leaves): color illustrations, color mapsenUniversity of VendaGender discrepanciesUCTDWomen participationWater sectorDecision-makingCommunity environmentWork environmentPolicy frameworkThesisDaswa M. Development of a framework for addressing gender discrepancies in decision making positions in the water sector in South Africa. []. , 2026 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from:Daswa, M. (2026). <i>Development of a framework for addressing gender discrepancies in decision making positions in the water sector in South Africa</i>. (). . Retrieved fromDaswa, Mpho. <i>"Development of a framework for addressing gender discrepancies in decision making positions in the water sector in South Africa."</i> ., , 2026.TY - Thesis AU - Daswa, Mpho AB - The study developed a framework to address gender discrepancies in decision-making positions within South Africa’s water sector. Gender discrepancies have created a power dynamic in which men hold greater access to resources and leadership roles, resulting in the systematic exclusion of women from key areas of social and economic life. The research assessed women’s participation in projects and programs, as well as their representation as decision-makers in water resource management institutions at local, regional, and national levels. Using secondary data from the Department of Water and Sanitation, Catchment Management Agencies, Water Boards, Water Service Authorities, and Water Service Providers, the study examined the distribution of women across the sector. A mixed‑methods research design was employed to investigate the roles and impact of women in leadership within South Africa’s water sector. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire administered through SurveyMonkey tool and distributed via email. The instrument captured both qualitative and quantitative data across five thematic areas: professional background, challenges encountered, support mechanisms, policy environment, and women’s leadership. Responses were exported to Excel, coded, and categorised to identify key concepts. Reliability of the identified factors was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, with a cut‑off value of 0.4. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted using Statistica (Version 13) to validate the factor structure, requiring at least three items per factor and loadings above 0.4. Additional statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, t‑tests, ANOVA, and multiple regression to examine relationships and differences among variables. Cronbach’s alpha values indicated acceptable reliability for all factors. To address gender discrepancies in leadership and decision-making positions, the study reviewed existing frameworks and subsequently developed a tailored framework for the South African water sector. The developed framework aimed to enhance women’s effective participation in decision making and support the implementation of national water legislation. The development followed a structured process that included situational analysis, stakeholder engagement through surveys, policy and framework review, identification of gaps based on research findings, and formulation of improvement opportunities. Work Environment (WE) = 0.724, Community Environment (CE) = 0.655, and Women Participation (WP) = 0.824. EFA confirmed two valid independent factors, CE and WE with factor loadings ranging from 0.610 to 0.727 for WE and 0.595 to 0.839 for CE. Descriptive statistics showed relatively low mean scores on the seven‑point scale: WE (M = 2.22, SD = 0.95), CE (M = 3.18, SD = 1.14), and WP (M = 2.44, SD = 0.79), with slight variation across responses. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between CE and WP (r = 0.601), while the relationship between WE and WP was weak. Regression analysis confirmed that CE significantly predicted WP (β = 0.580, p < 0.001), whereas WE did not exert a significant influence. ANOVA results showed significant differences in women’s participation based on age (F = 5.43, p = 0.001), educational level (F = 6.38, p = 0.002), organisational size (F = 11.5, p = 0.000), and other demographic and organisational characteristics such as tenure, position, organisational activities, and ownership type. Overall, the findings indicate that community‑level social conditions play a stronger role than workplace conditions in shaping women’s participation in the water sector. The study found that both the WE and CE influence women’s participation in decision making within the water sector, with CE exerting a stronger effect. The resulting framework consists of four elements (policy and gender analysis, empowerment interventions, monitoring and evaluation and policy refinement and institutional learning). Validation results indicated that the framework is usable, dependable, and meets accepted standards. There is a need to implement and further test the developed framework to address gender discrepancies in the water sector. DA - 2026-05-19 DB - ResearchSpace DP - Univen KW - Gender discrepancies KW - Women participation KW - Water sector KW - Decision-making KW - Community environment KW - Work environment KW - Policy framework LK - https://univendspace.univen.ac.za PY - 2026 T1 - Development of a framework for addressing gender discrepancies in decision making positions in the water sector in South Africa TI - Development of a framework for addressing gender discrepancies in decision making positions in the water sector in South Africa UR - ER -