Abstract: Submission #281

Abstract The paper outlines a qualitative evidence synthesis protocol designed to investigate, the extent to which social workers successfully implement the gender justice commitments as outlined in the SDG 5, in alignment with the NDP in South Africa. South African women currently hold 44–46% of seats in the National Assembly and 36% of board positions in organizations. However, challenges of symbolic compliance remain evident in the pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5), as it aligns with the National Development Plan (NDP) in South Africa. This investigation seeks to determine whether the strategies in place move beyond symbolic compliance toward realistic, actionable goals that can enhance the lived experiences of South Africans. The research question the investigation seeks to answer is, ’to what extent are social workers in practice effectively implementing the gender justice commitments outlined in SDG 5, in alignment with South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP)? The theoretical framework is informed by Nancy Fraser’s theory of participatory parity, whose importance and relevance is in how it links gender justice to redistribution to address economic inequalities that disproportionately affect women and gender minorities, recognition to challenge and transform harmful gender norms, stereotypes, and cultural devaluation, and representation to ensure that all genders have an equal voice and influence in political and institutional decision-making processes. Thematic synthesis will guide data analysis, utilizing the COSTAQDA technique and software. Ultimately, this study intends offering social workers a renewed perspective on engaging with the SDG 5 and the NDP, as evolving platforms for continuous problem-solving rooted in southern epistemologies.
Keywords: Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5), National Development Plan (NDP), Symbolic Compliance, Gender Justice, Participatory Parity.
There is more legislative rhetoric than actual transformation affecting women’s daily lives