From policy commitment to institutional practice: Gender mainstreaming and perceived service delivery in a Tanzanian urban ward

Gender mainstreaming is embedded in Tanzania’s national policy framework, yet little is known about how formal commitments are translated into everyday administrative practice at ward level. Drawing on neo-institutional theory, particularly policy–practice decoupling, this article examines the perceived implementation of gender mainstreaming in Mbezi Ward, Ubungo Municipal Council. The study used an exploratory descriptive case-study design and a structured questionnaire completed by 46 ward employees and officials. Responses were analysed using frequencies and percentages and interpreted against the National Gender and Women Development Policy 2023 and its 2023–2033 Implementation Strategy. Respondents reported comparatively strong recognition of gender-equality policy and gender-responsive recruitment. Perceptions were less favourable regarding training, promotion, equal treatment and women’s leadership opportunities. Seventy-four per cent considered monitoring weak. Only 41.3% perceived gender equality as improving service delivery, while 32.6% remained neutral.The findings indicate selective institutionalisation: visible and procedural commitments coexist with weak monitoring, restricted perceived leadership opportunities and uncertain service-delivery outcomes. Because the study relies on employee perceptions from one ward, it does not establish causal effects on service delivery. It nevertheless shows where implementation weakens between formal adoption, operational enactment and outcome coupling. Stronger monitoring, clearer leadership pathways, practical staff capacity-building and gender-responsive performance information are required to deepen institutionalisation.