Since 1994, South Africa has seen a number of women taking up leadership positions in areas previously dominated by men. And as Gabi Khumalo observes, one of the success stories of our democracy is the representation of women in political decision-making positions.
It’s a fascinating progress. Very few countries can claim to have done better than what democratic South Africa has done to empower its women. In 1994, women constituted a mere 27.8% of the 400 seats in the South African parliament. That figure had increased to 44% in 2009. Similarly, the representation of women in provincial legislatures increased from 25.4% to 42.4% respectively. The Speaker of parliament and chairperson of the National Council of Provinces are women. Women CEOs are heading many of the state entities and top blue chip companies in the private sector.
This progress will be on the spotlight when Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women Susan Shabangu tables South Africa’s country report at the 59th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW59) to be held in New York next week.
The UNCSW is an entity of the UN Economic and Social Council dedicated exclusively to gender equality and the advancement of women. It’s an important platform dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.
Beijing Platform for Action
At a time when women are increasingly taking centre stage in global affairs, the two-week long gathering in New York is expected to be the centre of attention. This year’s session is of particular importance as it marks the 20 year review of progress that countries have made in the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action.
The Beijing Platform for Action is an international declaration of women’s rights established at the UN’s landmark Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995. It covers 12 key critical areas of concern, which include women and poverty, violence against women and access to power and decision-making.
The summit also comes at a time when global attention is placed firmly towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals and the shaping of a post 2015 Development Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals.
But what will South Africa tell the world next week? How has the country fared in the empowerment of women and gender equality?
If statistics are anything to go bye, it’s safe to think Pretoria has a fairly good report to table in New York.
Progressive legislation has been implemented to create an enabling environment for women, ensure they are protected and to promote their participation in the economy.
Access to formal employment for women is facilitated through the Employment Equity Act where employers are legally required to work towards more equitable representation based on gender, race and disability. The Gender Equality Bill was introduced to accelerate the empowerment of women and attain 50/50 gender parity for the country. In 2009, a Ministry for Women, Children and People with Disabilities was created to strengthen the country’s response to women empowerment.
On the fight against women abuse, we will demonstrate in New York that our campaigns such as the 365 Days of Activism against Women and Child Abuse continue to raise awareness and confront the scourge of women abuse. The National Crime Prevention Strategy of 1996 elevated violence against women and children as a national priority. The Commission on Gender Equality is mandated to monitor, evaluate and research women’s rights and gender equality.
State of readiness
Minister Shabangu was upbeat this week about South Africa’s readiness to participate in the CSW59.
The Minister said following broader consultations, the country report has been compiled, informed by inputs from various stakeholders which review how far South Africa has come in advancing women issues in the last 20 years.
“This report provides a comprehensive account of South Africa’s progress on critical outcomes adopted by the UN Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. It contributes to a better understanding of how gender equality and the empowerment of women can be strengthened in a Post-2015 Development Agenda.
“It is envisaged that this national-level review will contribute in understanding and engagement of how gender equality and the empowerment of women can be strengthened in a Post-2015 Development Agenda,” she said.
The South African delegation to the CSW59 will be led by several Ministers who will participate in various panels.
The delegation will also include representatives from Commission on Gender Equality, as well as civil society organisations and business.
Mandisa Monakali, founder of Ilitha Labantu, an organisation that deals with violence against women and human rights, said the meeting in New York comes at the time when civil society organisation are reviewing progress that has been made since Beijing.
“For us Beijing +20 was not about UN, it was about our daily lives as South African women and you could see what is happening now in the country. The number of women we have in construction for instance has increased,” Monakali said.
Looking to the future
She expects CSW59 to come up with strategies on how the developing countries in particular can implement the 12 critical areas and link them to UN’s Sustainable Development.
“You cannot talk about sustainable development without looking at women and poverty, without looking on violence against women, women participation…. you have to link them direct with sustainable development.”
Dr Namane Magau, a member of International Women’s Forum of South Africa, highlighted a need to look closely on how women are remunerated as compared to their male counterparts.
She also said women-led enterprises still need more support as they continue to lag behind. “They also need more opportunities of growth and we are hoping that the country will continue to grow women’s participation in the economy, be there in business, communities and also be there in professional settings,” Dr Magau said.
Meanwhile, a number of key activities will be taking place around the country building up to the country’s participation at the CSW59.
International Women’s Day
On 05 March 2015, the National Assembly will host a Parliamentary Debate on International Women’s Day taking place on Sunday.
The day is used globally to reflect on progress made and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.
The International Women’s Day will take place on 08 March 2015 at Kwa-Langa Township in the Western Cape. The event will be held under the theme “Women’s Rights are Human Rights: Together Moving a Non-Violent South Africa Forward”.
Minister Shabangu said the day will be used to launch the #365Days of Activism National Dialogues.
“The dialogues will help us assess the real improvement in the everyday reality for the majority of women in South Africa. These will lead to the development of an annual Report on the Status of Women to be launched in August 2015,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
