Abstract
Despite progressive legislative frameworks promoting gender equality in South Africa, women in local government continue to face persistent structural, institutional, and cultural barriers that constrain their participation and effectiveness. This article examines the experiences of women political actors in the Ekurhuleni Municipality, exploring the systemic challenges shaping their governance roles and the implications for accountability and service delivery. Guided by Feminist Institutionalism, Feminist Political Economy, Intersectionality, and Social Role Theory, the study interrogates how patriarchal norms, political gatekeeping, socio-economic inequalities, and gendered perceptions of leadership influence women’s access to power and decision-making spaces. Using a qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews with municipal political actors were thematically analysed to uncover dominant narratives and lived experiences. The findings reveal entrenched patriarchy, exclusion from influential political networks, gender stereotyping, and limited institutional support as key impediments to women’s effective governance. While some participants perceive minimal barriers, others highlight systemic biases that undermine women’s authority and restrict meaningful participation.