Statistics show progress and persistent challenges in the fight for equality by South African women over 70 years

South Africa is marking 70 years of the struggle for women's equality, and data analysis demonstrates both significant changes and areas where progress has not yet been achieved. Currently, women constitute 65.4% of university graduates, with the number of female graduates exceeding that of men in almost all qualification types, except for doctoral degrees.

More than 20,000 women marched to the Union Buildings on August 9, 1956, to protest the expansion of pass laws for women. This march was organized by the Federation of South African Women and included women of various races. The leaders of the procession were Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Musa, and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, who presented a petition to the government of Prime Minister J. G. Strijdom.

The women's demands went beyond pass laws. Previously, they appealed to the Congress of the People for childcare, housing, education, equal pay, and equal rights regarding property, marriage, and child custody. On the day of the demonstration, the women stood silently for 30 minutes, performing the anthem Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika and the protest song Wathint’ abafazi, Strijdom!

The current government press secretary, Nomonde Mnquka, noted that along with countless ordinary women, they realized that political freedom would remain incomplete until women had equal opportunities to participate in the nation's economic, social, and political life.

Education: A Fundamental Achievement

One of the most obvious changes has been the development of the education sector. Women now make up 65.4% of university graduates, surpassing men in the number of graduates in almost all fields of study, with the exception of doctorates.

The Chairperson of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, emphasized that women hold 43% of legislative seats in Parliament and 45% of ministerial positions, and they also lead several key constitutional institutions. According to her, the successes since 1994 are reflected in the growing participation of women in politics, the judicial system, business, academia, and leadership.

Gender studies from Stats SA have also shown a long-term increase in women's participation in the labor market. The female labor force participation rate increased from 50.9% in 2014 to 55.8% in 2024, although it remains below the male rate. Furthermore, women's labor force participation is uneven.

Financial Independence

Progress in education and labor market participation is reflected in the growing financial autonomy of women. Anchor Capital reported that women have moved beyond simply inheriting wealth to actively creating it through careers, entrepreneurship, investments, and property ownership.

An investment manager noted that women have become 'central architects of family well-being,' with many prioritizing financial independence, long-term security, and the transfer of capital to future generations. The property market also indicates an increase in women's prosperity. BetterBond Home Loans reported that in 2024 and 2025, over 43,000 women applied for mortgages, more than half of whom were first-time buyers.

Home Ownership

The proportion of women applying as primary borrowers increased by 18% between 2024 and 2025; these women spent an average of R1.3 million on housing. Women buying as spouses spent R1.9 million. Mary Lindemann, COO of BetterBond, explained that this growth reflects greater financial self-sufficiency. She stated: 'As more women assert their financial independence and utilize their purchasing power, we are seeing strong activity in this market segment.'

Lindemann also noted that more women under 35 are purchasing homes independently. 'Women marry later, if at all, and many postpone starting a family. They do not wait for a ring or a spouse to buy property.'

Stats SA data showed that the median age of women in civil unions increased from 31 in 2014 to 34 in 2023.

Households

The shift in women's financial roles coincided with significant transformations in household structure. Stats SA census data showed a substantial long-term increase in the proportion of female-headed households, which approached half of all households.

The proportion of women aged 15 and older who have never been married rose from 44.7% in 1996 to 57.1% in 2022, while the proportion of married women decreased from 38.8% to 25.6%. This has changed the financial responsibilities of many women, as they increasingly make decisions about housing, household expenses, and dependents independently.

Corporate Governance

The growing presence of women in education and the economy has also led to increased representation in corporate leadership, although figures decrease higher up the career ladder. In 2025, women held 38% of board seats and 27.4% of executive positions in the top 40 JSE companies, which is higher than 35% and 25% respectively in 2023. Nine companies from the JSE top 40 achieved or exceeded gender parity on their boards, including Bidvest with 64%, British American Tobacco with 56%, and Impala Platinum with 54%.

The situation was significantly different at the CEO level. Only three companies from the JSE top 40 had a woman as CEO—Bidvest, Clicks, and FirstRand—while six had a woman on the board. BDO stated: 'South African women make up 46% of the country's economically active population but remain consistently underrepresented in leadership and underpaid compared to their male counterparts.'

The World Economic Forum's 2025 Global Gender Gap Report found that women outperform men in higher education globally, but they account for only 29.5% of senior managers with higher education.

Labor Market Gap

Recent Quarterly Labour Force Survey data showed that the progress made has not translated into equal employment outcomes. In the second quarter of 2026, women accounted for 50.3% of the 42.3 million working-age population, but their official unemployment rate was 37.5% compared to 30.3% for men. The female labor force participation rate reached 54.9% versus 64.4% for men, and the absorption rate—the proportion of the working-age population actually employed—was 34.3% for women and 44.9% for men.

Young women were also more likely than young men to be Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET), with a rate of 38.2% compared to 34.6% for young men. Women were less likely than men to hold managerial positions—managers comprised 7.1% of female employment compared to 10% of male employment—and were more likely to work in clerical and domestic sectors.

Fayaz Mohammed, head of BDO's International Offshore Centre, advised a young woman starting her career: 'Raise your hand more often. Do not assume the answer will be no before you ask the question.' Mohammed added that 'confidence is often built after you take the step, not before it. And when you reach the next level, don't climb alone. Help someone else rise.'

Pay Gap

The increasing participation of women in education, property ownership, and leadership has also not eliminated income disparities. BDO estimates the average gender pay gap in South Africa at approximately 30%, while Stats SA's long-term gender analysis showed that the median income of women in 2022 matched 80% of the median income of men.

In a country celebrating 70 years since marches by thousands of women demanding equal treatment, statistics have shown significant changes but have also revealed unequal economic conditions for women. Nomonde Mnquka stressed that the true measure of democracy will not only be the rights guaranteed by the Constitution but also the opportunities created by society.

Mnquka concluded: 'When every girl has access to quality education, every woman can realize her ambitions without discrimination or fear, every entrepreneur can compete on equal terms, and every citizen contributes to advancing gender equality, South Africa will honor the legacy of Charlotte Maxeke, Lillian Ngoyi, Albertina Sisulu, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, and the women of 1956.'

iol.co.zaAugust 13, 06:50

South African Women Achieve Significant Successes in Education, Employment, and Changing Family Models Over Three Decades

Over the last thirty years, women in South Africa have made substantial progress in education and employment, alongside significant changes in marriage and household models.

According to a recent publication by Statistics South Africa, between 1996 and 2022, the improvement in equality of rights has been reflected in increased educational attainment, greater participation in professional sectors, and higher visibility of women in leadership positions.

The organization noted that despite persistent challenges, such as a higher unemployment rate among women compared to men, the resilience and achievements of women have contributed significantly to shaping South Africa's democratic and developmental trajectory.

Census data indicates that this change extends beyond mere trends in real estate or labor markets; it points to a deeper transformation in how women are educated, where they work, which households they head, and what relationships they choose, all of which impacts their ability to earn and manage finances.

Education is a Priority

Changes began in the field of education. The proportion of women aged 20 and over who obtained a matric certificate increased from one-sixth in 1996 to nearly 40% in 2022. The percentage of women with qualifications above the matric level doubled—from 6.4% to 12.8%.

Furthermore, women surpassed men in certain indicators of educational growth. StatsSA found that around 2010, women began overtaking men in progression from grade 9 to grade 12, and also surpassed men in transitioning from matric to a bachelor's degree.

The agency emphasized that over the past three decades, South Africa has achieved significant progress in expanding women's access to education. From 1996 to 2022, school attendance among young women grew steadily, reflecting both expanded access to learning and the country's commitment to the principle of equal rights.

The agency added that this progress has not only narrowed the gender gap but has also positioned women as key drivers of socio-economic development, as more women complete secondary education and attend higher education institutions than ever before.

Entering the Labor Market

These changes were accompanied by a transformation in the types of employment women hold. The number of working women increased from 5.5 million in 2001 to 6.8 million in 2022. The share of women working in the formal non-agricultural sector rose from 50.7% to 69% over the same period.

The number of women employed in the financial sector almost doubled—from 502,000 in 2001 to 987,000 in 2022, while employment in public and social services grew from 1.2 million to 2.3 million.

StatsSA noted that this demonstrates the vital role women play in the economy, the labor market, and South Africa's overall development. However, progress has not eliminated all obstacles: the unemployment rate among women rose from 27.9% in 2001 to 35.6% in 2022.

Changing Household Structures

Household structures have changed parallel to workplace shifts. In 1996, women headed 37.8% of households, whereas by 2022, this figure reached 49.5%.

There has also been a significant shift in women's marital status. The proportion of women aged 15 and older who have never been married increased from 44.7% in 1996 to 57.1% in 2022, while the proportion of married women decreased from 38.8% to 25.6%. Cohabitation increased from 4.9% to 8.2%.

For women, this combination makes the issue of financial independence more pressing, especially when income, assets, and long-term savings must support a household rather than supplement another person's finances. These changes lay the groundwork for growing attention on how women accumulate capital independently.

Savings and Investments

Anchor Capital pointed to a broader shift in women's wealth creation, noting that they are increasingly building capital through careers, entrepreneurship, disciplined saving, investing, and property ownership.

The organization stated: 'Women are not just inheriting wealth; they are increasingly creating it. Women tend to invest disciplinedly, adhere to long-term plans, and avoid unnecessary portfolio turnover. This behavior can become a powerful driver of compound interest over time.'

The property market shows one clear aspect of these changes. BetterBond Home Loans registered over 43,000 mortgage applications from women in 2024 and 2025, with more than half of them being first-time buyers. The number of applications where the woman was the primary loan applicant increased by 18% between 2024 and 2025.

Mari Lindemann, Chief Operating Officer of BetterBond Home Loans, commented: 'As more women assert their financial independence and utilize their purchasing power, we are seeing strong activity in this market segment.'

BetterBond data showed that women applying as the primary borrower spent an average of R1.3 million on housing. Earlier data indicated that more women under 35 were buying homes independently.

Lindemann added: 'Women marry later, if at all, and many postpone starting a family. They do not wait for a ring or a spouse to buy property.'

iol.co.zaAugust 10, 11:16

Seventy Years After the Women's March, The Fight for Gender Equality in South Africa Continues

Seventy years after the 1956 Women's March, South African women continue to face challenges related to poverty, unemployment, gender-based violence, and unequal opportunities. The article asserts that achieving genuine gender equality requires broader economic empowerment, education, leadership opportunities, and more decisive action against gender-based violence.

Every August, South Africa commemorates the legacy of over 20,000 women who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on August 9, 1956. This act of resistance is considered one of the most significant in the country's history. These women of various races, many carrying infants on their backs, protested against pass laws that regulated not only their movement but also their dignity. They carried petitions, chanted, and declared with unwavering confidence: 'Wathint' Abafazi, Wathint' Imbokodo.'

The 1956 march serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made for freedom and the long-standing demand for equality even before it was enshrined in law. It highlighted that unity is the strongest counter to division, demonstrating the remarkable achievements possible when women unite.

Women of the past faced immense hardships and overcame countless obstacles, transforming their darkest days into a brighter future for coming generations. Their courage, resilience, and determination paved the way for the rights and opportunities many enjoy today.

The Unfinished Journey to Equality

Today, 70 years later, their footsteps still resonate in our national consciousness. Although the country has made significant strides in advancing women's rights since the advent of democracy, many women continue to encounter systemic barriers to full participation in society and the economy. They are disproportionately affected by poverty, unemployment, gender-based violence, unequal access to opportunities, and underrepresentation in critical sectors. These issues serve as a stark reminder that the fight for gender equality is far from over and requires a collective commitment from all sectors of society.

Economic Empowerment is Crucial

At the heart of women's transformation lies economic empowerment. Despite numerous policy measures, unemployment, income inequality, and limited access to economic opportunities continue to disproportionately affect women. Many women-owned businesses still struggle to secure funding, procurement opportunities, and established supply chains. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen support mechanisms that enable women to fully participate in the economy through greater access to capital, markets, skills development, technology, and entrepreneurial support. Economic empowerment means much more than just earning higher wages; it signifies increased autonomy, independence for women, and their ability to influence economic outcomes.

Combating Gender-Based Violence

The government also recognizes that violence against women violates their dignity, safety, and constitutional rights, and hinders their full participation in societal life. Thus, combating gender-based violence has become a national priority. To demonstrate this commitment, President Cyril Ramaphosa recently established the first legislative National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide in South Africa, marking a major step forward in the country's fight against GBV. The Council will lead national initiatives aimed at strengthening prevention, supporting survivors, reinforcing law enforcement, and coordinating actions between government and civil society.

Education and Skills Open Doors

Education and skills development are equally vital in advancing women's empowerment. Quality education opens doors to employment, entrepreneurship, and leadership positions. More needs to be done to encourage girls and young women to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, as well as to expand access to vocational and digital skills. Through the Human Resources Development Council, we focus on gender-inclusive economic growth and skills development to combat unemployment, which disproportionately affects women. We address gender gaps through technical education, digital skills, and training in in-demand professional fields. However, policy measures alone will not suffice for long-term change. South African society must confront deeply rooted patriarchal attitudes and stereotypes that continue to shape the experiences of women.

Shifting Mindsets and Increasing Representation

Gender inequality is often rooted in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities where discriminatory beliefs and practices are normalized. To achieve significant transformation, cultural attitudes must shift with a greater emphasis on equality, mutual respect, and the fair distribution of roles and responsibilities between men and women. It is equally important to involve boys and young men as partners in promoting gender equality and building a society that respects both women and men. Furthermore, significant efforts are needed to increase the representation of women in leadership and decision-making roles. While progress has been made in political representation, women remain underrepresented in corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, and strategic economic sectors. Various organizations must also actively invest in mentorship, leadership development, and succession planning to ensure that more women occupy positions where they can influence policy, institutions, and economic outcomes.

Supporting Women Beyond the Workplace

The transformation of women also requires acknowledging the disproportionate burden of unpaid care work, which women often shoulder while balancing professional and caregiving duties without adequate support. Key measures include improving access to childcare, implementing family-friendly workplace policies, and ensuring a fairer distribution of caregiving responsibilities to allow women to participate in education, employment, and leadership. As a government, we are also addressing systemic barriers through targeted allocation in public procurement, specialized financial funds, and multi-sectoral partnerships. Key interventions include implementing a target of 40% preferential procurement for the public sector, utilizing special financing schemes such as the Isivande Women's Fund, and creating structured market fairs. Moreover, the EmpowerHer Market trade fair has been established to promote women-owned businesses, expand market access, and foster investment linkages. This initiative provides women with tangible pathways to enter supply chains, scale their businesses, and transform their communities.

The Work Continues

However, the story of women's transformation does not end here. Aluta continua. Real change is a process, not an event, and the path to full equality requires sustained and active participation. Government, business, civil society, traditional leaders, religious organizations, communities, and families all play a role in creating an environment where women can thrive. Ultimately, we must measure success by the degree to which every woman can live with dignity, safety, equality, and the freedom to realize her full potential. Only then will the vision of the women who marched in 1956 be fully realized.

iol.co.zaAugust 9, 10:00

South African Legislation on Women's Rights: Equal Pay and Maternity Leave

The South African legal system provides women with important workplace guarantees covering issues from equal pay and maternity leave to protection against discrimination and harassment. This knowledge is particularly relevant on Women's Day.

Despite South Africa's progressive labour legislation, many women continue to face obstacles on the path to equality in the workplace. It is important to understand that workplace equality is not just a corporate ideal but a legal right protected by acts such as the Employment Equity Act (EEA) and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA).

Right to Equal Pay

The Employment Equity Act (EEA) prohibits unfair discrimination in employment conditions and terms, including discrimination based on sex or gender. It also establishes the principle of equal pay for work that is equal, substantially similar, or equivalent in value.

Differences in remuneration can be justified if they are based on objective and reasonable criteria, such as length of service, experience, qualifications, performance, or other lawful factors. If an employee believes that the pay difference constitutes unfair discrimination, they can raise this issue with the employer and, if necessary, approach the relevant legal authorities.

Protection During Maternity Leave

According to the BCEA, an employee has the right to at least four consecutive months of maternity leave. Generally, the leave can commence four weeks before the expected date of birth, unless otherwise agreed or required by health conditions.

Although the BCEA does not typically oblige an employer to pay full wages to an employee during maternity leave, qualified employees may be entitled to maternity benefits through the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), subject to meeting established requirements and calculations. Furthermore, employees are protected against discrimination related to pregnancy and against dismissal on such grounds. The EEA prohibits unfair discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, and the Labour Relations Act provides strong protection against dismissal for reasons related to pregnancy, presumed pregnancy, or other pregnancy-related matters.

Protection Against Harassment

South African labour legislation also protects employees from workplace harassment. According to the EEA and the Code of Good Practice on Preventing and Addressing Workplace Harassment, harassment related to a prohibited ground of discrimination can be considered unfair discrimination.

Employers are obliged to take appropriate steps to prevent and address harassment issues. Complaints must be taken seriously and handled properly; a failure by the employer to act after becoming aware of alleged harassment can lead to legal consequences.

Knowing Your Rights Matters

Challenging disputes regarding wages, harassment, or pregnancy-related discrimination can be a complex task, especially if an employee fears retaliation or does not know where to turn. This is where access to professional legal assistance can play a crucial role. Members of Legal Leaders Insurance have access to legal support that helps them understand their labour rights and available options when workplace disputes arise.

The Constitution of South Africa guarantees the right to equality and protects people from unfair discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, and pregnancy. On Women's Day, it is essential to empower oneself by knowing one's workplace rights and understanding the steps that can be taken when these rights are violated.