A recent report on the Status of Women in the South African Economy released by the Department of Women, situated in the Presidency, paints a bleak picture of the economic involvement of women in the economy, both at the top and bottom end of the scale.
While progress certainly has been made in the financial empowerment of South African women, and their general involvement in the economy, the fact remains that women still face systemic and societal challenges that put them at a significant disadvantage to their male counterpart.
The report accedes: “we have to content with the unsettling reality of high unemployment, poverty and inequality that most women still experience.”
Furthermore, this is true for women at the top end of the scale – well educated in good jobs – as well as those at the bottom – generally poorly educated, in low-paying jobs and over-indebted, or living in abject poverty.
Click below for an in-depth feature on the Status of Women report.
– By Christelle du Toit
