On the 22nd of August, 2022, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Blade Nzimande, delivered a speech, shining a spotlight on the inequality faced by South Africa's women.
The Ministerial Higher Health Roundtable on Youth Health and Wellness was where the Minister addressed Gender-Based Violence towards women and girls, as well as the progress the country has made in terms of allowing equal education opportunities.
On paper, South Africa's women should be succeeding. The country has solid female representation in high Government positions, there are laws protecting the rights of the women, women have marched and fought for those rights, and there are now more equal opportunities to gain a decent education.
In his speech, Nzimande cited statistics which depicted a "balance in Gender Parity Ratios (GPR) amongst those who are functionally literate from 0,95 in 2002, to 0,99 (zero – no gender equality to one – full gender equality) in 2019, indicating that more women are now literate."
Back in 2016, Gender Parity Ratios for female participation in higher education was at 1,39; supporting the fact that "significant strides have been achieved in ensuring universal access to education for everyone," said the Minister.
Despite all the triumphs of our country's women, education inequality presents as a challenge globally, and is reflective in the higher unemployment rate amongst women than amongst men in South Africa.
Statistics South Africa mentions that according to last year's Quarterly Labour Force Survey, the South African labour market shows to be more favourable to men than it is to women.
Discrimination based on gender persists, most of all affecting women of colour and women living in poverty.
"Women in South Africa and around the world still face additional challenges that hinder them from accessing employment. Once they are in employment, appointments to decision-making positions and jobs in certain sectors, or of certain characteristics, remain elusive. Men are more likely to be in paid employment than women regardless of race, while women are more likely than men to be doing unpaid work," reads the report.
The Marginalised Groups Indicator 2019 report showed that, on average, 40,6% of female-headed households were without an employed household member, mentioned Nzimande.
Not only are women facing barriers when it comes to gaining substantial employment, but if they do manage to successfully obtain a source of income, they're paid less than their male counterparts.
Gender-Based Violence and the gender pay gap make it difficult for women to gain the same independence that men are able to possess; vulnerable groups of women (women of colour, especially Black women, and women living in poverty) are more at risk of encountering these barriers and having difficulty escaping the cycle of gender inequality.
Nzimande, in his speech, mentioned that poverty and food insecurity are central to women's vulnerability.
"Gender equality is regarded as an important determinant of food security. However, during 2019 approximately one-tenth of female-headed households (11,1%) reported having suffered from hunger as compared to 9,7% of male-headed households."
The Minister says that it is important that men act as gender equity advocates.
