Abstract
Municipalities in South Africa are expected to utilise their purchasing processes to
promote gender equality. A key external goal of municipal procurement is to
redress inequalities through economic opportunities and economic equity to the
benefit of both men and women. Currently, most municipalities are transforming
their services through electronic mode, resulting in the use of e-procurement
processes which link business-to-business, business-to-consumer, and business-togovernment
via information and communication technologies. Using a Gender
and Development (GAD) Approach, this article aims to assess the level of gender
inclusivity in the municipal e-procurement processes in the City of Johannesburg
as a case study. Among the questions raised in the article are whether gender
mainstreaming is considered in the municipal procurement processes; and if there
are any initiatives in place to capacitate men and women to ensure their
participation in the e-procurement processes. The review of literature and official
documents forms part of the desktop conceptual and theoretical analysis. Utilising
qualitative, descriptive and analytical research approaches, the article explores the
need for gender mainstreaming in the municipal e-procurement value chain
processes such as e-informing, e-tendering and vendor management. The article
then offers policy implications and suggestions for improvement.