Decentralization in Africa and the Resilience of Traditional Authorities: Evaluating Zimbabwe's Track Record

Chigwata, Tinashe Carlton

doi:10.1080/13597566.2015.1121873

Cited by 12 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…In Malawi, like elsewhere in Sub-Saharan Africa, traditional authorities have an important role in rural communities [ 1 ]. A study by Afrobarometer [ 2 ] finds that traditional leaders are highly regarded and trusted by the public, in particular for their function in dispute resolution and conflict mediation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gendered norms of responsibility: reflections on accountability politics in maternal health care in Malawi

Lodenstein

Pedersen²,

Botha³

et al. 2018

Int J Equity Health

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BackgroundThis paper aims to provide insights into the role of traditional authorities in two maternal health programmes in Northern Malawi. Among strategies to improve maternal health, these authorities issue by-laws: local rules to increase the uptake of antenatal and delivery care. The study uses a framework of gendered institutions to critically assess the by-law content, process and effects and to understand how responsibilities and accountabilities are constructed, negotiated and reversed.MethodsFindings are based on a qualitative study in five health centre catchment areas in Northern Malawi. Data were collected using meeting observations and document search, 36 semi-structured individual interviews and 19 focus group discussions with female maternal health service users, male community members, health workers, traditional leaders, local officials and health committee members. A gender and power sensitive thematic analysis was performed focusing on the formulation, interpretation and implementation process of the by-laws as well as its effects on women and men.ResultsIn the study district, traditional leaders introduced three by-laws that oblige pregnant women to attend antenatal care; bring their husbands along and; and to give birth in a health centre. If women fail to comply with these rules, they risk being fined or denied access to maternal health services. The findings show that responsibilities and accountabilities are negotiated and that by-laws are not uniformly applied. Whereas local officials support the by-laws, lower level health cadres’ and some community members contest them, in particular, the principles of individual responsibility and universality.ConclusionsThe study adds new evidence on the understudied phenomenon of by-laws. From a gender perspective, the by-laws are problematic as they individualise the responsibility for maternal health care and discriminate against women in the definition and application of sanctions. Through the by-laws, supported by national policies and international institutions, women bear the full responsibility for failures in maternal health care, suggesting a form of ‘reversed accountability’ of women towards global maternal health goals. This can negatively impact on women’s reproductive health rights and obstruct ambitions to achieve gender inequality and health equity. Contextualised gender and power analysis in health policymaking and programming as well as in accountability reforms could help to identify these challenges and potential unintended effects.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12939-018-0848-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gendered norms of responsibility: reflections on accountability politics in maternal health care in Malawi

Lodenstein

Pedersen²,

Botha³

et al. 2018

Int J Equity Health

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“…Some 67% of Zimbabwe's population lives in rural areas where traditional leadership constitutes the immediate form of local government (Chigwata 2015).…”

Section: Zimbabwe's System Of Governmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The cooperation between sub-national governments and traditional leaders in the development process, is therefore pivotal to manage the conflicts and ensure that the process is as inclusive and participatory as possible (Chigwata 2015). The support, legitimacy and respect these leaders command particularly in rural areas, and their proximity to the people, are valuable strengths in development planning (Chatiza 2010;Chigwata 2015). On the financial side, the 2013 Constitution requires revenue raised nationally to be shared equitably among the three tiers of government.…”

Section: Cjlg December 2017 183mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Under a multi-level system of government, the various levels of government share powers, responsibilities and resources in order to maximise the state's potential to realise development, deepen democracy and sustain peace (Chigwata 2015). In some countries each level of government is responsible for a set of functions over which it has exclusive competence.…”

Section: Defining Intergovernmental Planning and Budgetingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Intergovernmental planning and budgeting in Zimbabwe: learning the lessons of the past

Chigwata

Marumahoko²

2018

CJLG

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In Zimbabwe, the Prime Minister’s Directives on Decentralisation and Development of 1984 and 1985, together with the Provincial Council and Administration Act 1985, constitute the foundation for post-independence attempts to ensure effective governance. The Directives provided for the establishment of hierarchical structures and mechanisms to coordinate government activities, including development planning at various levels of government. This paper asks whether these structures and mechanisms have been effective in promoting ‘sound’ intergovernmental planning and budgeting, and whether they are still relevant given that in 2013 Zimbabwe adopted a new Constitution with greater promises, visions and demands than its predecessor, the Lancaster House Constitution. The paper argues that the adoption of a new Constitution provides a valuable opportunity to reform the intergovernmental planning and budgeting process, which to date has proved ineffective in fostering integrated and coherent effective governance.

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Local Government in the 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe: Defining the Boundaries of Local Autonomy

Chigwata

Visser

2017

Hague J Rule Law

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The 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe recognises local government as the lowest tier of government in a three tier arrangement. Thus, local government, composed by urban and rural local authorities, now owes its existence directly to the Constitution and not to legislation as was the case under the previous constitutional order. The Constitution assigns to local authorities the responsibility to 'manage' and 'represent' the affairs of people in their respective areas. Every local authority is given the 'right to govern' its jurisdiction with 'all' the necessary powers to do so, including devolved powers. Thus, the Constitution recognises that, for the benefits associated with decentralisation to be realised, local authorities require a certain measure of local autonomy. The autonomy which this Constitution affords to local government is however unknown and unexplored, especially from a constitutional law point of view. In this article, we measure the degree of local autonomy guaranteed by the 2013 Constitution.

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Decentralization in Africa and the Resilience of Traditional Authorities: Evaluating Zimbabwe's Track Record

Cited by 12 publications

References 10 publications

Gendered norms of responsibility: reflections on accountability politics in maternal health care in Malawi

Gendered norms of responsibility: reflections on accountability politics in maternal health care in Malawi

Intergovernmental planning and budgeting in Zimbabwe: learning the lessons of the past

Local Government in the 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe: Defining the Boundaries of Local Autonomy

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