Slow pace of women’s empowerment
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While half the population remains marginalised, the economy will not prosper as it might
THIS month we celebrate the numerous actions by courageous women on our road to democracy. Women’s Month is also an opportunity to reflect on the strides we have made since democracy.
Most people associate Women’s Month with August 9, 1956 – the moment when thousands of women marched to the Union Buildings in defiance of unjust pass laws.
However, we dare not forget how 700 women marched with Charlotte Maxeke in Bloemfontein in June 1913 in defiance of the pass system. Nor should we forget the contributions of countless other heroines whose selfless acts paved the way for our democracy.
It is often said that change is the only constant. Throughout our history there have been seismic moments which have ushered in significant change. However, there are also times when change is frustratingly slow.
One such case is the empowerment of women since 1994. While we can rightly claim many victories and point to our constitution which protects the rights of all and the raft of legislation the government has implemented, there is still room for much improvement.
Some might argue that empowering women is nothing but a feel-good exercise.
However, history has taught us that economies grow and flourish when women are involved. When more women work, economies grow.
In her budget vote earlier this year, Minister of Women Susan Shabangu stated: “Empowering women to participate fully in economic life across all sectors is essential to building stronger economies that create jobs and accessible opportunities to women.
“We all agree that an improved economy can improve the lives of women and children and thereby build stronger families, communities and society.”
Getting ever more people actively involved in our economy is essential. Globally, economies are stuck in a low growth scenario that is causing untold hardship.
Our own economy is still growing, albeit slowly. Getting more people and especially more women involved in the economy will help to change this.
The actions we take now will determine our fortunes in years to come. The National Development Plan aspires to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030. It calls for a unity of purpose where we can unleash the energies of all our citizens to grow an inclusive economy.
It emphasises that we must continue to build capabilities and ensure the government and other leaders work together to solve complex problems.
For its part, the government has already begun to put the building blocks in place for this future. An important part of this approach is to lay the groundwork for empowering women so that they can take their rightful place in society.
In 2000, South Africa established the National Policy Framework for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality, with a clear vision and framework to guide the processes of developing laws, policies, procedures and practices that would ensure equal rights and opportunities for women and men in all spheres, levels and structures of government, the workplace, the community and the family.
Chapter 5 of the revised 2013 Women’s Empowerment and Equality Bill aims to strengthen the enforcement of compliance by both the government and the private sector in matters of gender mainstreaming and equality.
In May 2009, the president announced the establishment of the Ministry of Women, Children and People with Disabilities. In May last year, he announced a dedicated Ministry for Women in the Presidency. This ministry has been tasked with elevating women’s issues, and will lead, co-ordinate and oversee the transformation agenda on women’s socio-economic empowerment, rights and equality through mainstreaming, monitoring and evaluation.
These and other laws have set us on a path to a sustainable future where women are active in all spheres of society.
However, progress has been slow in certain sectors and the goal of 50 percent parity is still a long way off.
In many respects, the government has set the pace and done well in empowering women in economic, governance and political spheres. Conversely, the private sector is way off the pace.
The recently published Businesswomen’s Association of SA’s annual census of corporate leadership makes for sobering reading.
The authors say: “The average percent- age of woman directors for the largest 25 organisations based on market capitalisation is 24.7 percent. Large organisations are slow to transform in gender parity.”
The overall picture of the census is one of slow progress at the pinnacle of influence and power. It reveals that the public sector is out of the blocks far more quickly than the private sector in advancing women.
The census report notes in conclusion that: “The findings are disappointing. The conversation has continued for decades and yet very little has changed. Women are still a minority at the top echelons of organisations. Even though there have been marginal improvements, South African businesses are well below the 50 percent target.”
It may be tempting to dismiss this as nothing more than figures or to argue that developing woman leaders takes time. But the reality is that we do not have time.
Every year spent debating how to mainstream women is time wasted. The clock is ticking and if we are to reduce inequality, poverty and unemployment by 2030, we must act now.