OCEAN
4.2. DATA SOURCES
For the purpose of this study (which aims at assessing the extent to which job creation can enhance the empowerment and development of rural women as well as the social and economic impacts of the project on the development of the study area), necessary data were obtained from two sources.
4.2.1. PRIMARY DATA
Primary data were obtained from the comprehensive survey and fieldwork designed to take stock of the socio-economic indices relating to income, education, health, household, social amenities, shelter, food, clothing, economic power structures and club or society membership. In most cases, interviews were conducted among women employees of the Working for Water Project in their respective settlements in the catchment areas. For those residing at the Table
Mountain, interviews were conducted at the work site in view of the long distance -~..
involved in getting to the settlement. The interviews took the form of a semi- structured or open-ended interview (Shaw and Wheeler, 1994; Flowerdew and Martin, 1997). The responses were used to gain knowledge of the perceptions of the women in relation to the objectives of the study. In addition, a semi- structured interview was conducted with the project leader (Manager) and contractors of the Umlaas Working for Water Project. These interviews related to their perceptions of women's participation, capacity building, and empowerment of women employees of the project. Furthermore, interviews were conducted among educated folks and private business owners in the area on their perceptions of empowerment and the impacts of the Working for Water Project on the empowerment of women in the study area. In addition, information relating to perceptions of empowerment and the impacts of the project oQ women and the communities was gathered from the adult members of the household of the women employees of the community using semi-structured interviews. Such information was thought important to complement the responses from the women employees of the Project and since they live with the women, they are considered better 'judges' in assessing the impact of the Project on the women and the households.
Information from household members of the women employees included:
\
(i) (ii)
(iii)
(iv) (v) (vi) (vii) (viii)
perception of empowerment
socio-economic conditions such as income and level of education before and after securing a job at the Working for Water Project.
contributions towards helping the household before and after securing job with the project.
composition of the household.
who makes the decisions in the households.
power relations in the household.
the obligations and division of labour within the household.
control of factors of production such as distribution of income and
accumulation of capital.
(ix) access to and control over the use of natural and social resources.
(x) employment issues and rights to resources.
(xi) status and role in the household and community.
(xii) existence of and membership in any women's organizations in the community such as village, council and co-operatives (xiii) modes of operation of the organization(s).
(xiv) roles in the organization(s).
(xv) sexual divisions of labour as related to reproductive work, productive work and social involvement (management and political roles in the community or society).
Information from the project manager and contractors included:
(i) perception of empowerment.
(ii) proportion of women to men in the project.
(iii) involvement of women relative to men in leadership positions.
(iv) sexual division of labour i.e. level of involvement of women in tasks which are traditionally performed by men.
(v) the extent to which capacity has been built in the women employees.
(vi) assessment of community participation and environmental awareness.
Information from community members included:
(i) perception of empowerment.
(ii) impact assessment of the project on the development of the community to evaluate how much of development was attributed to the establishment of the project.
(iii) level of involvement of women in identifying the priority needs of the community.
(iv) proportion of women to men in leadership roles in the community.
(v) level ofinvolvement of women level ofinvolvementof women in project design, implementation and evaluation.
(vi) level of control of women over factors of production such as land, credit and accumulation of capital.
(vii) social and economic impacts of the project of women in general.
Information from privatebusiness owners included:
(i) perception on empowerment.
(ii) impact assessment of the project on the development of the community .This will help to assess how much ofJhe development can be attributed to the establishment of the proj~ct.
(iii) the degree to which businesses have increased consequent on the establishment of the project.
All data obtained' from the primary source were tape recorded and transcribed in order to identify recurring themes and facilitate triangulatjon. The validation of issues raised by the respondents was done using a combination of colour coding and cut and paste methods
4.2.2.
SECONDARY DATASecondary data used. in the research included published and unpublished texts, articles from journals (such as Agenda, Indicator S.A., The Women and Intemational Development Annual, Development and Change, Development Southern Africa and World Development), conference reports and annual reports. Literature on development paradigms such as basic human needs approach, empowerment approach, women in development, women and development, gender and development and sustainable development were used
to build the theory of the study. Secondary data was used to examine the role of women in the development process at home and society. In addition, maps, photographs, newspapers, census data, government reports and annual reports of the Working for Water Project were used to supplement the data.