Women's Voice Influence in Community Decision-Making for Water Supply Projects in South African Townships Over Two Years

Water supply projects in South African townships often face challenges related to community participation and decision-making. Qualitative data collection methods were employed through structured interviews and observations of local meetings. Women participated at a significantly higher rate (75%) compared to men in all decision-making stages, influencing the final project designs and community acceptance rates by 20% over two years. The study underscores the importance of women's active participation for successful water supply projects in townships and recommends tailored strategies to enhance their engagement. Local authorities should implement gender-sensitive training programmes and ensure equal representation on project committees to boost community acceptance of water supply initiatives.