Why it is common sense to shatter glass ceiling

As we look back and acknowledge women who have and are playing pivotal roles in creating a better society, it is gratifying that everyone agrees there is no tool more effective for social,  political and economic advancement than the empowerment of women.It is gratifying because more than half the world’s population are women and girls. Yet men continue to live in a predominantly “men’s world”.

Indeed, while in many families, and even in some societies and countries, women may be the main or even the sole bread-winner and decision-maker, economic and political life, nationally and globally, is  still dominated by men’s perceptions, priorities, values and decisions.

But look around you. In South Africa women have been equal partners in the nation-building process. Ever since the dawn of our democracy, women have contributed to the progress, growth and prosperity of this country.

Fortunately, during the past two decades, our country has been recognising that to empower women means, in the first place, to help them acquire the knowledge, information and tools  they need to participate on an equal footing with men in all matters and at all levels of social action, and above all in decision and policy-making structures and processes.

As we celebrate women’s month, we can be proud our country is taking a leading role in shattering the glass ceiling. Politically, socially and economically our achievements are praiseworthy.

Let me amplify.

Politically, our country has made great strides within a short time to advance women towards the achievement of legislated equality between genders.

Data compiled by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) shows that out of 189 countries, South Africa is  no 7 in the IPU world ranking of women’s political participation.

The representation of women in parliament jumped tenfold from 2.7% during the apartheid period to 27% after 1994.

Then, after the adoption of the 50/50 gender parity at the ANC’s 2007 conference, women’s representation increased to 44%.

Of course various pieces of legislation and international instruments have helped. These include the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, Employment Equity Act, Domestic Violence Act, Maintenance Act, Sexual Offences Act and the Civil Union Act, as well as the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Beijing Platform for Action, the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, the Southern African Development Community protocol on gender and development, as well as the African Union gender policy.

On the work-front, according to a survey by the Business Women’s Association’s (BWA) titled “Women in Leadership”, women make up only 41% of the working population. BWA says women constitute 14.7% of executive managers and only 7.1% of directors in the country.

Of the more than 3100 directorship positions, women hold only 221. There are 11 female chairs of boards out of a total of 364, and only seven female CEOs/MDs compared to 357 males.

The BWA survey further says it will take until 2031 for women to make up 50% of boards, and until 2051 for executive management to reach parity with men.

But we are doing better than the US, Australia and Canada. In Australia, women constitute 44.6% of the total workforce, 8.4% of all directors and 8.8% of  executives. In the US women constitute 46.1% of the workforce, 13.6% of all directors and 15.7% of  executive managers. In Canada, they make up 46.5% of the workforce, 11.2% of  directors and 14% of executive managers.

Indeed, there has been a recognition that women are vital to the success of South African businesses. And confronting barriers in the workplace that hold women back is simply good political, social and business sense.

It is good that we are already ahead of the game in taking action and recognising the political and business benefits of harnessing the talent of woman in the workplace and policymaking.

This is about building a stronger economy and a fairer society. There is no tool more effective for economic advancement than empowering women.  We can and should take the lead in shattering the glass ceiling in every field – be it politics, business, manufacturing, agriculture or the arts.

Our country has some of the best and brightest business and political talent and we want more women in high profile roles so they can inspire the next generation of women business and political leaders.

The Eastern Cape is working to support and encourage employers to put the right measures in place to create more inclusive work places and to nurture talent. Out of 10 MECs, six are women. Of  12 departments, four are headed by women including the director general. Of 63 MPLs, 27 are female, including the speaker and deputy speaker.

We cannot afford to ignore the huge contribution women could make to our communities. After all, researchers and economists tell us greater gender equality is linked to a higher GDP per capita; women’s participation in the workforce and income generation boosts economic growth and has an impact on society as a whole; equal access for women to land and other agricultural inputs increases agricultural productivity and reduces the number of people suffering hunger; and companies with three or more women among their directors or top managers have more output than companies with no women.

However, as I said earlier, despite the evidence of the value women in society,  they still do not enjoy total equality. This slows down economic growth, whereas the expansion of women’s rights would speed up our country’s development.

Looking at all these facts and figures, we see that  many women are unable to achieve their full economic potential due to barriers such as unequal access to opportunities and/or credit, a lack of sufficient education and training, and a lack of help from communities and governments in entering the workforce and the economy.

Another factor holding women back is the patriarchal culture of consigning women to the home environment, and particularly upholding the myth that some jobs are traditionally designated for women. In the final analysis there is that invisible barrier preventing them being treated on the same terms as men.

The truth is that we all know nothing is more relevant than promoting women as drivers of inclusive growth in our country.

It is therefore important to recognise that to promote real empowerment for women –  the type that enables them to fulfil all their capabilities as drivers of growth and development –  structural change is required to reduce inequalities, with special focus on women who are more vulnerable due to their social condition, race, ethnicity or type of work.

When women are empowered and given the chance to exercise their rights, to become leaders or make use of education and employment opportunities, economies grow.

If we want to use this potential and strive towards equality between women and men as partners in development, we must use every means available to eradicate gender inequality.

Recognising gender inequality is  the first step to fixing it. Let’s celebrate women’s month.

Phumulo Masualle  is premier of the Eastern Cape