Gender inequality in South Africa

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Gender inequality and discrimination remain significant issues in South Africa, despite the country's progressive constitution and various policy initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality.[1] The societal norms, economic disparities, and systemic challenges that perpetuate gender inequality and discrimination are deep-rooted issues. The situation in South Africa is challenging as society still follows a patriarchal and stereotypical mindset and has cultural and traditional norms that may restrict women from having superior and higher professional portfolios. Gender inequality and discrimination happen everywhere.

Gender inequality in the workplace[edit]

Equal work possibilities for women are a goal of the current democratic system.[2] Besides the constitution, there are other legislative measures put in place to promote women’s emancipation. This legislation includes the Labour Relations Act 66, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75, and the Employment Equity Act 55. These provide the basis for the advancement of women to achieve gender equality in employment. South Africa has implemented vast statutory measures to promote gender equality and eliminate unfair discrimination in the workplace.[3] However, due to historical inequalities from the past, a lack of dedication to correcting power dynamics and granting women greater autonomy to hold managerial roles, and a lack of money and programs for women's empowerment to obtain skills, women continue to face disadvantages in the workplace. Equality in the workplace appears to be largely a concept on paper with little impact on women's realities. Gender equality is still far from being achieved, as women occupy less than 50% of senior management positions.[3]

Gender inequality in education[edit]

The South African Journal of Child Health found that in South Africa, 7 million girls are reported to be absent from school each month due to a lack of sanitary pads, which results in them missing 25% of learning during the school year.[4] Although there have been improvements in access to education for girls, challenges persist. Rural areas and historically disadvantaged communities often face inadequate infrastructure, including schools and sanitation facilities. This disproportionately affects girls, who may be more likely to face cultural and economic barriers to education. Girls face higher dropout rates, particularly in rural areas, due to factors such as early marriage, pregnancy, and household responsibilities.[5]

Cultural and traditional practices that reinforce gender inequality[edit]

The values and ideas that members of a community have held for extended periods of time—often generations—are reflected in traditional cultural practices.[6] Premature and forced marriages, widow's rites, virginity tests, female genital mutilation, and breast sweeping and ironing are some of these damaging traditional practices.[6] Non-physically invasive practices such as Lobola or arranged marriages may also reinforce gender stereotypes. It is often found that women themselves subscribe to these discriminatory practices. Additionally, there is unequal access to decision-making roles in cultural professions.

Gender-based violence[edit]

Gender-based violence is a profound and widespread problem in South Africa, impacting almost every aspect of life. Gender-based violence, which disproportionately affects women and girls, is systemic and deeply entrenched in institutions, cultures, and traditions in South Africa. South Africa is considered to be the rape capital of the world. South Africa had five times the global average for the number of women killed by intimate partners.[7] Gender-based violence emerges in society as a result of conventional gender role expectations and unequal power interactions between genders.[8] Physical, emotional, psychological, financial, and structural harm are just a few of the ways that gender-based violence can appear. Typically, intimate partners, co-workers, strangers, and even institutions are the ones who commit these acts whereby women are disproportionately affected.[7]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Segalo, P (2015). "Gender, social cohesion and everyday struggles in South Africa". Psychology in Society. 49: 70–82. doi:10.17159/2309-8708/2015/n49a6. hdl:10500/27655. ISSN 1015-6046.
  2. ^ Seidman, Gay W. (1999). "Gendered Citizenship: South Africa's Democratic Transition and the Construction of a Gendered State". Gender and Society. 13 (3): 287–307. doi:10.1177/089124399013003002. ISSN 0891-2432. JSTOR 190256. S2CID 220374473.
  3. ^ a b "Gender Inequalities in the Workplace: Case Study of South Africa". Management and Economics Review. 6 (1). 2021-06-05. doi:10.24818/mer/2021.06-06. ISSN 2501-885X. S2CID 239771724.
  4. ^ Khamisa, N; Nanji, N; Tshuma, N; Kagura, J. "The relationship between menstrual hygiene management, practices, and school absenteeism among adolescent girls in Johannesburg, South Africa". South African Journal of Child Health. 16 (1) – via SCIELO.
  5. ^ Mchunu, G; Peltzer, K; Tutshana, B; Seutlwadi, L (2013-02-01). "Adolescent pregnancy and associated factors in South African youth". African Health Sciences. 12 (4). doi:10.4314/ahs.v12i4.5. ISSN 1680-6905. PMC 3598281. PMID 23515418. S2CID 650511.
  6. ^ a b Maluleke, Mikateko Joyce (2017-05-22). "Culture, Tradition, Custom, Law and Gender Equality". Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal. 15 (1): 1–22. doi:10.17159/1727-3781/2012/v15i1a2454. ISSN 1727-3781.
  7. ^ a b Govender, Indiran (2023-03-31). "Gender-based violence – An increasing epidemic in South Africa". South African Family Practice. 65 (1). doi:10.4102/safp.v65i1.5729. ISSN 2078-6204. PMC 10091185. PMID 37042525. S2CID 257947605.
  8. ^ Deming, Michelle E. (2018-10-03). "Michelle E. Deming: commentary on Gender-Based violence and trauma in marginalized populations of women: Role of biological embedding and toxic stress". Health Care for Women International. 39 (10): 1158–1159. doi:10.1080/07399332.2018.1533353. ISSN 0739-9332. PMID 30893020. S2CID 84844469.
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