Simba Rushwaya
JOHANNESBURG – AS the country celebrates Women’s Month this August, female activists are saying that the government still needs to do more to safeguard women are put in powerful positions as South Africa pays tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 protesting against the extension of Pass Laws to women.
The government has declared that August 9 be celebrated annually as Women’s Day.
Social commentators say there is need to come up with policies and framework that will guarantee women are as influential as their male counterparts.
Wits Global Labour University Programme graduate Janet Munakamwe has mixed feelings about the achievements women have made so far.
“Yes, in relation to legislative frameworks , to a greater, extent, South Africa has made strides to address gender equality and parity through promulgation of national laws aimed at addressing challenges at various levels like government, company, etc. The problem is failure to translate these laws into practice such that they address the needs of the primary beneficiaries,” says Munakamwe.
But the University of Wits researcher admits women are now recognised in general.
“Substantial progress has been noted with many women assuming top positions from party level to government level. Unlike during the apartheid times, women are getting work at a faster rate than men. Women are also joining trade unions at a much faster rate than men.
“ However the quality of jobs and contracts those women are offered is usually temporary, casual and also the majority are employed through labour brokers. These areas still need to be addressed to ensure women are also employed in long-term non-fixed contractual jobs – permanent jobs
“Access to land still limited and in some instances subjected to cultural practice. There is also need to address sexual harassment, rape, gender –based violence and discrimination of women and youth in the workplace and society at large,” argues Munakamwe.
Small Business Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu, while addressing delegates at the African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA) conference whose theme was “Africa is Open for Business: A Woman’s Perspective,” Sandton last Tuesday, said the African National Congress (ANC) led government had made “significant” strides in addressing gender disparity.
“The government of the ANC since 1994 and even prior to that has been very clear on issues of incorporating women in leadership processes. When we were negotiating for the peace process we were the only part with woman negotiators while others didn’t have, so the ANC Women’s League demanded that other parties involved bring women to the negotiating table.
“You can see that many are now recognizing the role of women 22 years after independence especially in key decision making processes.
“ It is unacceptable that women are recognized for home based roles only, they need to go to school like everyone. They can bring so much value in the well-being of the country and our approach has been that women should be given their positions not because they are women, but because they are capable. Government must create space for women to make meaningful decisions about the country,” says Zulu.
Speaking at the same function, chairperson of AWCA Investment Holdings Sindi Mabaso-Koyana said society must embrace change.
“Men play a big role in the sponsoring of the development of women, but we are agitating for a shift from the patriarchal society where men dominate all spheres of life. We need to start kicking the doors and demand to be understood in the home and society. We need that father who constantly builds confidence in the family and be given the equal platform to shine,” says Mabaso-Koyana.
According to statistics, prior to 1994, the South African Parliament had a mere 2,7% representation of women, and following the first democratic elections, women representation in the National Assembly stood at 27,7%.
In 1999 that figure increased to 30% and then to 32.7% in 2004. After the 2009 national elections women representation reached 42%.
Today female ministers make up 41% of Cabinet, women deputy ministers make up 47% of the total number of deputy ministers and there is a 41% representation of women in the National Assembly.
Entrepreneur Tumi Frazi
“Woman are the backbone of the society. The government must continue to empower them because once you have empowered them you have empowered the whole society. They share everything they get with children and society at large,” says Frazier.
In addressing gender equality women have also headed key portfolios such as the Commissioner of Police, Riah Phiyega, the Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, chief executive of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Nicky Newton King among others
Women have also made their mark in the previously male dominated corporate and now make up 3.6% of chief executive positions, 5.5% of chairperson positions, 17.1% of directorships and 21.4% of executive management positions compared to 1994. – simba.rushwaya@gautengguardian.co.za Twitter@SimbaRushwaya
@As part of Gauteng Guardian’s efforts to promote and celebrate our women, the newspaper will be running a special supplement featuring “all things to do with women” on the 25th of this month. So if you would like to feature in this supplement call Themba Ndlovu on 079 875 3630 or on 011 039 2191
