An exploration of women's voices in the public sector: a case of a government department Cape Town

Abstract

This study investigates the exploration of women's voices in the public sector in a government department in Cape Town. It analyses the causes of women conforming to male dominance, their inability to voice their opinions, and how they can make decisions for themselves in the public sector. The investigation is conducted on the presupposition that women are still not given their full rights, specifically in the workplace, where an insignificant number of them are given high positions that are permanent and how women face discrimination within the workplace because of male dominance. Moreover, in Cape Town, most women are believed to work in lower-paid jobs, and those who hold permanent positions in the public sector are not given an opportunity to practice authority due to inequality between men and women. The study also investigates how the government department of Cape Town has a serious problem of women holding qualifications yet struggling to attain better positions that will match what they have studied. They are forced to settle for entry-level positions that do not motivate them to climb the ladder and fully support their families financially. Inclusivity is also a detriment to women in the workplace. It has been observed that women are not given the room to be confident and be part of management decision-making. Instead, they are belittled and undermined and given unfavourable duties that are not important. Moreover, women are excluded from major work meetings and events that allow them to express their input and viewpoints, as it is believed that it is not their place to do so. This dissertation is underpinned by the social constructivist theory, where knowledge is built from human experiences. The social constructivism theory postulates that such experiences are influenced by society and its cultural setting. In addition, the data collected in this research was gathered utilising interviews and questionnaires where participants were given a series of questions to answer. The interview questions were structured as a conversation between the interviewer and the interviewee. Moreover, questionnaires were also collected in the research, which allowed the researcher to gather information from a larger audience than interviews. The researcher managed to receive a good number of questionnaires from the participants, while others were uncomfortable answering the questionnaire. The findings from the data collected insinuate that the government department of Cape Town still needs to put more effort into opportunities that support and uplift women. Furthermore, a course of action should be taken to eliminate inequality and discrimination in the workplace so that employees can be in a healthy work environment.