OPINIONISTA: Women want and deserve more than empty gestures and platitudes this Women’s Day

Ahead of National Women’s Day, I was invited to a well-known national radio station on Wednesday, 7 August, to speak about the participation of women in the political arena and in the economy. The presenter noted that women were not engaging in the discussion, and often never do on radio talk shows. 

It was just then when a woman finally called in and said: “We are tired. We are tired of having the same conversation. We are tired of having to fight for our place in the world. We are tired of talking about the same issues year in and year out.” 

The fatigue is justified. The malaise is authentic. Almost 70 years after the seminal 1956 march, South African women still have to fight for material equity in the economy, for bona fide power in public leadership and for recognition of the leadership roles they already occupy in society.

In truth, while some are being pampered, others are the face of poverty, demonstrating the state of inequality that extends throughout society. Today whether you carry a pass or not, you as a woman still face varying degrees of prejudice.

Women want and rightly deserve more than empty gestures and platitudes this Women’s Day. Instead, we should aim for meaningful change that improves the lives and living conditions of women.

The intersectional nature of women’s oppression in South Africa – economic, social, cultural and political – is cause for deep concern. In particular, the double blow of fighting for economic participation – a livelihood – while under constant threat to life and bodily integrity. 

Safety of women

On the safety front, women continue to bear the brunt of violent attacks in South Africa. According to the most recent crime stats from the South African Police Service (SAPS), in the last three months of 2023, 12,211 rapes took place, 1,485 attempted murders of women were reported, 1,830 women were murdered and more than 18,000 women were assaulted with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

And that’s just the reported figures.

South Africa averages 40,000 rapes a year, and the rate at which women are killed by intimate partners in South Africa is five times higher than the global average.

In a single calendar year, 2021 to 2022, 90,037 girls aged 10 to 19 years gave birth. Approximately 30% of teenagers in South Africa reported having been pregnant, the majority unplanned; 188 teenage girls under the age of 18 were married off in 2021; the majority of South Africa homes are female-headed, with 41% of children living with single mothers.

Economic empowerment of women

On the economic front, the current unemployment rate for women is 35.5% compared to 32.6% for men, compounded by the fact that jobs taken up by women are also generally found at lower levels of employment. 

In 2021, the Businesswomen’s Association of South Africa (Bwasa) census found that only 27.7% of directors and 29.4% of executive managers were women for all participating entities. At top leadership levels of organisations, women accounted for only 17.3% of chief executive officers (CEOs) and chairpersons combined. Women-led businesses in South Africa still make up only 21% of the formal SME sector, and only one third of JSE board members are women.

These and other factors contribute to the lack of legitimate woman leadership in the sphere of politics and public leadership. 

It is time to move beyond bemoaning the status quo, to push even harder against the rightful fatigue and use the instruments afforded by our Constitution to fight to see change.  

When more than half of the population is not equitably represented, this limits the realisation of the nation’s potential.

But most importantly, when representation is achieved, it ought to be judged by the extent to which it benefits all women, and society as a whole.

That is why I am championing three targeted interventions this month, and beyond, to advocate for the safety and economic advancement of women.

Intervention one

We will be engaging with the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) to present formal proposals aimed at implementing impactful interventions to empower women in the economy. These interventions are crucial for addressing the challenges faced by the 5.5 million unemployed women in South Africa, as well as those currently in the workforce who struggle to advance and those without formal education and training.

The Commission for Gender Equality Act 39 of 1996 grants the CGE extensive powers. According to the Act, “in order to achieve its object referred to in section 119(3) of the Constitution, the Commission (a) shall monitor and evaluate policies and practices of (i) organs of state at any level; (ii) statutory bodies or functionaries; (iii) public bodies and authorities; and (iv) private businesses, enterprises and institutions, in order to promote gender equality and may make any recommendations that the Commission deems necessary.”

Despite its constitutionally mandated role as a Chapter 9 institution, the commission has not fully delivered on its mandate. This engagement aims to support and strengthen the CGE’s efforts in promoting gender equality and empowering women in South Africa.

Intervention two

We are launching a petition to demand that the National Register of Sexual Offenders (NRSO) be made public and easily accessible. Currently, individuals must pay R150,00 and wait a minimum of six weeks to check whether they are listed on the register. This process is not only cumbersome but also discourages transparency and accountability.

It is time to increase the pressure on the naming and shaming of sexual offenders and those who abuse women in South Africa. Making the NRSO publicly available will serve as a critical tool in holding offenders accountable and protecting potential victims. Our petition aims to push for this change, ensuring that the public can access this vital information without unnecessary barriers.

Intervention three

We are calling on all nine premiers to establish provincial task forces dedicated to addressing gender-based violence (GBV). The CGE has reported that despite increasing rates of GBV across the country, there is also a rising trend in the withdrawal of cases. Victims often cite court delays and the lengthy finalisation of DNA tests as reasons for withdrawing their cases.

This situation reflects a deep-seated mistrust in the justice system, from the SAPS to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

To restore confidence and provide effective support to victims, it is crucial to have dedicated provincial GBV task forces. These task forces would work to streamline processes, expedite case handling, and ensure that justice is served. Establishing them will demonstrate a commitment to combating GBV and protecting the rights and dignity of victims across South Africa.

In a country where – as was the case in 1956 – women still bear the brunt of spatial injustice, economic deprivation and social instability, we need to remember the unifying force of the women of 1956 who dared to rise above their circumstances.

On Women’s Day this Friday, Bosa will stand with those who are already taking political power, building equity and sitting at the tables where the political and economic futures of their country are being discussed. Our role is to open the doors for more women to do the same. DM