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Discuss what your country has done improve gender equality in the economic sector. Examples should include wages, employment discrimination, access to loans and microloans, opportunities in upper level corporate jobs.
Wages: South Africa has legislation in place to promote equal pay for equal work, such as the Employment Equity Act of 1998 and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act of 1997. These laws prohibit unfair discrimination in terms of wages based on gender. However, the gender pay gap persists, with women earning on average 23% less than men, according to a 2019 report by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Employment Discrimination: The Employment Equity Act of 1998 prohibits discrimination based on gender in all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, and dismissal. The Act also requires employers to implement affirmative action measures to promote equal opportunities for designated groups, including women. However, the enforcement of these laws has been uneven, and women continue to face discrimination in the workplace.
Access to Loans and Microloans: The South African government has implemented various initiatives to promote women's access to finance, including the Isivande Women's Fund and the Technology for Women in Business (TWIB) program. These programs provide loans, grants, and business support services specifically targeting women entrepreneurs. Additionally, several microfinance institutions, such as the Small Enterprise Foundation and the Marang Financial Services, offer microloans to women in rural and underserved areas.
Opportunities in Upper-Level Corporate Jobs: South Africa has introduced measures to promote gender diversity in corporate leadership positions. The Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Codes of Good Practice encourage companies to have gender-balanced boards and management teams. However, progress has been slow, with women holding only around 20% of board positions and less than 10% of executive director roles in JSE-listed companies, according to a 2019 report by the African Development Bank.
https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/fandd/issues/2020/03/africa-gender-gap-access-to-finance-morsy
https://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=15833
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-46177-4_43
https://scielo.org.za/pdf/sajems/v18n2/04.pdf
https://it-online.co.za/2024/05/17/retirement-equality-gap-tarnishes-golden-years-for-sa-women/
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