Accelerating Development and Economic Empowerment of Women for a Sustainable Future:
South Africa Observes International Women’s Day Celebrating Women’s Achievements in the Face of Inequality.
08 March 2022 is observed globally as International Women’s Day. As we observe this important day, South Africa echoes in collaboration with the world a growing call of urgency to accelerate the development and economic empowerment of women in our country and globally.
The theme for International Women’s Day 2022 is: Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow.
As our iconic leader President Nelson Mandela stated, we cannot be free until our women are free. It is a lesser known fact that uTata Nelson Mandela was a fierce gender activist, advocating for a society free from gender oppression. To achieve gender equality and to promote the participation of women in our economy government has undertaken steps as part of implementing the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF).
The steps undertaken include bringing together key public, private sector and civil society as a collaborative of action to join hands in creating an enabling ecosystem for the economic emancipation of women. The intent of partnership between government and business was created with the launch of the Women Economic Assembly (WECONA) – the formation of a coalition between the private sector, civil society organisations, women’s organisations, development partners, and businesswomen by President Ramaphosa in October 2021, to promote and accelerate the participation of women-owned enterprises in the supply value chain in public and private sector procurement.
Following the launch, various sectors are formulating plans to promote the development of and access to procurement allocation for women owned-enterprises to expand the role of women and youth in the economy. The Agriculture sector is taking the lead with an integrated programme of development hubs across the country. The programme includes leadership engagement of both government and business, a programme of identifying and engaging with all the “assets” in the area, mapping stakeholders and programmes in the existence with possible economic programmes to make use of under-utilised land water and infrastructure. Plans are being developed in places like the Ruth Moipati Local Area, Bele-Bela, Jane Furse and Harkeville.
To ensure a society in which women are able to thrive, they first need to feel safe. Safe in public and private spaces, and able to participate in all areas of society, without prejudice or fear of abuse, harassment, and violence. This is why the National Strategic Plan on GBVF aims to address the economic empowerment of women alongside developing programmes that seek to prevent violence through behviour change programmes that promote social cohesion. Pillars of the NSP also seek to improve accountability, and foster a justice system that focuses on support and care for the victim, while strengthening existing legislation against perpetrator.
Therefore, on International Women’s Day, especially in light of international events that expose the fragility of societies, and the compounded impact societies in distress have on women, it is worth acknowledging the ascension of amendments to existing laws by President Ramaphosa. The three laws being:
- The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act and Amendment Bill.
- The Criminal and related matters Amendment Bill.
- The Domestic Violence Amendment Bill. These progressive steps are necessary for dealing with the challenge of gender-based violence and the need to extend participation of women in the economy, through ensuring safer spaces for women, be that participation in the informal economy, or in office spaces.
This important legislation comes at the time when WECONA is engaging with different industries to forge active partnerships and collaborations that will prioritise strategic sourcing of goods and services from women-owned enterprises through the entire value chain to foster economic development for a sustainable tomorrow.
“The economic inclusion and participation of women remains a key enabler for women and children to have a desired quality of life and prosperity. “Women who are economically active, with means to provide for their families are likely to act swiftly against abusive situations and involve the law enforcement agencies where required” said Futhi Mtoba, Women Economic Assembly national convener and co-chairperson. “People need to understand that economic dependency leads to tolerance of emotional, physical and other forms of abuse by women who put the needs of their families before themselves,” added Mtoba.
On International Women’s Day, we wish to remind South Africans that inequality is not sustainable. The impact GBVF has on women, society and the economy is felt in ways we do not even realise, and find near-impossible to quantify.
Improving women’s access to the economy and easing barriers for access in sectors dominated by men, leads to a society in which women’s participation contributes to the strengthening of society and the economy.
Editor’s notes
The Assembly aligns with the outcomes of Pillar 5 of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. Pillar 5 calls for “the need to create more economic opportunities for women who are vulnerable to abuse due to poverty, unemployment and social inequality.
Recognising that women-owned businesses still account for 1% of public procurement, while Agenda 2063 of the AU calls for this allocation to be at least 25%, the Women Economic Assembly sets out to contribute substantially to easing the plight of vulnerable sectors of our economy. The National Development Plan 2030 also calls for more inclusive societies in which ALL South Africans are able to participate in all areas of public and private life.
Unlocking market access through preferential procurement has a direct multiplier effect to economic growth and increased access to income.
Women are also over-represented in the hardest-hit sectors within the informal economy, making them vulnerable to job losses and lack of social security protection.
Preferential procurement can help small firms achieve goals of equitable distribution of resources; enable sustainable development. and play a significant role in promoting gender equality and poverty reduction.
This Assembly will facilitate the convergence of stakeholders to contribute to a movement of economic emancipation for all the women of South Africa in their diversity, using innovation, creativity and thought leadership to transform the economic system.
The Women Economic Assembly also aims to build a long-term framework of monitoring and a measurement index to allow us to track progress in this endeavour. Globally, South Africa is also measured in its ability to ease access barriers for marginalised groups.
For media enquiries, contact:
The Presidency: Mr Tyrone Seale, Acting Spokesperson to the President – [email protected]
Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities: Mr Shalen Gajadhar on 060 979 4235 or [email protected]
WECONA: Ms Reneiloe Semenya on 083 272 5895 or [email protected]