Dedication and effort needed to advance women at work

THE Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has noted with interest that the 61st Session of the United Nations on the Commission of the Status of Women, amongst the themes, has discussed “Women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work”.

The CGE has observed with concern during sessions on gender transformation in the private sector and the public sectors, that despite existing measures within these organisations and institutions, senior management needs to review and act to eradicate sexual division of labour.

We observe that women – African and black – continue to occupy the lower occupations and jobs. Women occupy unskilled and semi-skilled employment. Skilled positions predominantly belong to males.

We note that even where women can ascend to higher levels and ranks, the percentage of women promoted to next levels gets significantly lower. Reasons remain frivolous and unscientific on why women are undervalued and are not progressively supported, trained and capacitated to lead in supervisory, technical departments and higher-management positions.

The Commission of Employment Equity report, 2015, has highlighted disparities in the salaries of men and women – especially in executive levels. The commission is of the view that this needs to be addressed urgently.

The CGE maintains that the gender pay gap must be reduced, women’s rights must be protected through sexual harassment policy – protected especially in mining, construction and clothing and textile industries.

It is also critical that both the private and public sectors consider addressing issues of part-time, irregular contracts and unlawful working hours, and time-flexible hours for working women.

The Businesswomen’s Association of SA research has shown that women who are working in a conducive environment are more productive, and the returns in margins are always high.

The CGE implores the retail industry to be considerate particularly during the festive season and weekends, and late and early hours to provide transportation for their employees, of whom the majority are women. Women not only live far from the transport points and their work place, they are vulnerable to rape and assault while going to work.

The CGE has also noted the maternity benefit for women is not being applied in line with the Department of Labour’s Basic Conditions of Employment, particularly in the private sector.

“The commission calls for all roleplayers, employers, the bargaining chamber and councils, and trade unions to prioritise women workers’ struggles (and) demands in the workplaces – on gender pay gap, addressing sexual division of labour, maternity benefits, sexual harassment and the employment contracts,” said Lulama Nare, acting chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality.

The CGE encourages the public to utilize its toll-free number 0800 007 709 to report matters that relate to violations of gender rights. Javu Baloyi Commission for Gender Equality