Gender-Transformative Structural Interventions to Advance South African Women’s Capabilities

Abstract

This chapter focuses on structural interventions undertaken in community settings. Assumptions, evolution in concepts, criteria for, and examples of, two gender-transformative interventions that advance women’s health and capabilities are presented. The evidence of the interventions’ effectiveness and their limitations are highlighted. Together, the two case studies indicate that GTIs can directly enhance women’s capabilities of bodily health and bodily integrity by reducing HIV and IPV risk, reshaping gender norms and supporting gender equality. Distinctive features that underpin the ability of these GTIs to be effective at creating structural level change are identified. The chapter closes with additional debates and key challenges.