Cape Town — State institutions have been called to continue providing mentorship and support programmes for women and to address gender stereotypes by fostering inclusion across different sectors.
According to SANews, at the Young Women’s Professionals Network event held by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) in Johannesburg on Monday, Deputy Minister in the Presidency Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Steve Letsike said empowering women is integral to the overall advancement of society.
Letsike said the economy encompasses various sectors, including fisheries, which contribute about R30 billion and support more than 127 000 jobs.
She noted that the tourism ocean economy alone contributes about R40 billion annually to the tourism sector. Additionally, the mining and minerals sector, financial services, agriculture and offshore oil and gas each contribute about R10 billion to the economy.
“These are, but some of the sectors that the South African women are entitled to be a part of, particularly as the country continues to prioritise the participation of women in the economy. According to a 2021 report by the World Bank, women in South Africa make up only 44% of the workforce, and they hold only 27% of managerial positions,” she said.
Letsike highlighted the need for increased gender diversity in the workforce and encouraged more women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
She stressed the importance of promoting women’s economic rights and independence, which includes access to employment, suitable working conditions, and control over economic resources. What’s more, she emphasised the need to ensure women’s equal access to resources, employment, markets, and trade, as well as to provide business services, training, and access to markets, information, and technology, especially for low-income women.
Letsike also touched on the need to strengthen women’s economic capacity and commercial networks, eliminate occupational segregation, employment discrimination, and promote the balancing of work and family responsibilities for both women and men.
She reiterated the call for national support and implementation of effective programmes, plans, policies, strategies and interventions aimed at removing barriers to entry for women, young women and the unemployed population.
“We reiterate the call to all of society to grow the prospects of new entrants; develop tailored financial solutions that are inclusive; accelerate market access opportunities; and support sustainable enterprises to scale.
“Despite all these challenges faced by South African women, the 2022 Census data by Statistics South Africa demonstrates the impact that government programmes have had in alleviating poverty, reducing unemployment, and lessening inequality over the last 30 years,” Letsike said.
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Compiled by Lauren Petersen
