Pretoria - It will take South Africa almost 40 years to achieve gender equality at leadership level if the current rate of gender transformation is not hastened, says the minister responsible for women.
Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya said it was disappointing to note from the latest Census conducted by Business Women Association of South Africa that by September 2009, there were still 73 companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange that did not have a woman on their boards of directors.
"At least 26 of these companies do not have even a single woman at an executive management level as well, these are disturbing statistics we have to deal with more than 16 years into our democracy," she said during her department's Budget Vote on Friday.
She warned that prediction is that if the current rate continues, the country will only achieve 50/50 gender parity at board level in 20 years and it will take another 40 years to reach executive management level.
She said for this year, the main focus for the Department for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities will be on the development of the Gender Equality Bill, which should hasten the pace towards gender equality in all sectors of society.
"We will also be working within the existing frameworks such as Employment Equity and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment and Employment Equity Act to ensure that at least the current equity targets for women and persons with disabilities are met," Mayende-Sibiya said.
As part of the campaign to advocate for the 50/50 gender parity in leadership positions in all sectors, the department will be holding consultations with organized labour, private sector organisations and other stakeholders.
Mayende-Sibiya however acknowledged ggovernment for leading all sectors with the appointment of women. This includes the appointment of the first woman as Governor of the Reserve Bank and the first woman CEO at South African Airways.
