As South Africa marks 30 years of its democracy, we take stock of the progress, challenges and strides made in terms of addressing issues affecting women in the country.
According to the ‘Gender Power in Africa’ study by consultancy Gallup, which analyses the disparities and imbalances that shape the lives of women in five African countries, ‘’South Africa ranks the highest of the countries surveyed with respect to the rate of female participation in political decision-making, low rates of child marriage, and the participation and completion rates of girls in primary and secondary education’’, however, of the countries surveyed, it has the ‘’highest rate of unemployed women and women not in the workforce’’. This indicates a mixed bag of progress and setbacks.
Historical background of South African women’s Leadership
Women have a long history of advocating for justice and equality. Evidence to this is the historic 1956 women’s march against apartheid laws to the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Since then, this march has been observed yearly as National Women’s Day, signifying the continuous struggle for gender parity. Another noteworthy movement in which women led, was the #TotalShutDown march in August 2028, where women took to the streets to protest against Gender-based violence in South Africa. Part of this march was to demand concrete action by government to address the scourge of violence in the country. In response, the government developed the National Strategic Plan on ending gender-based violence.
Reflection on obstacles women face today
Notwithstanding these developments and efforts at advocacy, women continue to encounter several obstacles including these:
- Financial dependency and unemployment: Women who experience high unemployment rates are more susceptible to financial dependence, which may be a factor in intimate relationship and domestic violence.
- Gender-Based Violence: The rate of gender-based violence in South Africa remains high. The latest figures by the South African Police Service in November indicated a spike in women murders.
- Patriarchy and Exclusion: Many traditional and religious structures still do not completely accept women in leadership roles. Female leaders frequently experience tokenism or isolation in these male-dominated environments, which makes it challenging to effect significant change. Furthermore, patriarchal norms impact women’s engagement in political and societal decision-making by influencing how society views their capacity for leadership.
The role of Inkanyezi project
Initiatives like the Inkanyezi project in which Sonke is in partnership with Global Affairs Canada are crucial. Using a feminist and human rights-based approach, the program strengthens the ability of women leaders in various fields to influence local decision-making processes, especially with respect to laws, policies, and customs relevant to women’s rights, leadership, and gender inequality.
This is an important intervention as it forms part of efforts that ensure the participation of often marginalized communities and groups, to guarantee that South Africa’s democracy benefits all its citizens, regardless of race, gender or socio-economic status.
In Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, efforts are underway to enhance the leadership capacity of women. These include:
- Community Engagement: educating community members about women’s rights and supporting female leaders in influencing local decision-making processes.
- Support for Gender Equality: collaborating with institutions like the Commission for Gender Equality to raise awareness about laws like the Traditional Court Act, which seeks to ensure women’s representation in traditional courts.
- Changing Gender Norms: conducting discussions and educational sessions to shift harmful gender norms, particularly among men, who are encouraged to become allies in the struggle for gender justice.
Gaps and areas for improvement
Service Delivery: Poor infrastructure, such as limited access to water, disproportionately affects women, increasing their burden and exposure to violence.
Justice System Barriers: Many women do not see justice in cases of GBV due to slow court processes, missing case files, and lack of support from law enforcement. Secondary victimization during legal proceedings further discourages women from pursuing cases.
Proposed Alternatives and Solutions
To move towards a more equitable society, several actions are necessary:
- Strengthening Accountability: clear policies need to be established to hold officials accountable when cases of GBV are mishandled or dropped. This includes better training for law enforcement and clearer communication protocols.
- Increasing Awareness and Access to Justice: communities need to be educated about the legal process and how to support survivors through it. This includes public awareness campaigns on reporting mechanisms and legal rights.
- Supporting Women Leaders: female leaders require sustained support through refresher training, peer networks, and engagement with their families to create a solid support system. This will empower them to participate more actively in decision-making processes.
- Enhancing Representation in Decision-Making: ensuring that women are genuinely included in local governance and planning, particularly in municipal development plans, is crucial for creating inclusive policies that address women’s needs.
- Enhancing Representation in Decision-Making: ensuring that women are genuinely included in local governance and planning, particularly in municipal development plans, is crucial for creating inclusive policies that address women’s needs.
Although strides in advancing gender equality in South Africa have been made 30 years later, there is still a long way to go in broadening women’s economic participation. The struggle continues and Sonke remains committed to contributing to the advancement of gender equality.
Written by Rhandzekile Mathebula, Senior Trainer
