By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor says statistics show that the percentage of women in the workforce has increased to 43.8% in South Africa.
Pandor delivered the keynote address at the 2023 Annual Forbes Africa Leading Women’s Summit in Pretoria on Wednesday.
“Our statistics in South Africa indicate that women are now an increasingly significant presence in the workplace. In terms of recent statistics, women constitute 43.8% of the labour force in our country and are therefore making an important contribution to our economy,” she said at the event to mark International Women’s Day.
Pandor said it is important to recognise where progress has been made.
“It is important always to recognise where there has been progress because if you live on the basis that nothing has been achieved you actually reduce the energy to strive. The summit is a great platform to advocate for women’s social, economic, political and cultural rights.
“In South Africa we are fortunate in that the achievement of freedom and democracy has led to a positive progress in a wide range of sectors. If South Africa had not achieved freedom in 1994, if we did not have a positive constitution with a bill of rights, we would only be gathered here in the tens and not hundreds so we have made progress and we must acknowledge that.”
Decision-making
Pandor believes achieving gender equity in decision-making positions – both in government and the private sector – is crucial.
Citing the latest Statistics South Africa report, she said South Africa saw an increase in the proportion of seats held by women in the National Assembly from 33% in 2004 to 46% in 2019, which remains the current percentage.
“Half of the South African Cabinet positions are held by women,” the Minister said.
Private sector
Pandor recognised that the private sector had shown progress with women owning major companies and serving as CEOs and Chairs of Boards and women making up 15% of executives and 30% of non-executive directors at JSE-listed companies.
She said the percentage of female CEOs in JSE-listed companies improved to 8% at the end of June last year from 5%.