Rebecca Baba Selomo

South Africa has passed a lot of progressive legislation addressing the empowerment of women. However, the capitalist global system is regressing the gains.

As a 40-year-old  woman living in South Africa, I am agitated by the inequalities faced by women, including our suffering at the hands of men as per the statistics of gender-based violence and femicide in our country. The women’s movement in a democratic South Africa ensured sufficient representation of women in political decision-making structures through enforcing quota systems in Parliament, government, and organisations.  There seems to be progress in terms of gender-focused legislation, although more still needs to be done.

That came with a lot of indirect rejection, and we see that as women are still on the receiving end when it comes to societal ills.  According to a study conducted by Statistics South Africa, only 54% of women are in the workplace compared to 64.9% of men, we must keep in mind that there are more women than men in the national population. Even so, it is said that women earn 15% less than men in South Africa. Globally, South Africa has one of the highest statistics in Gender violence and Femicide.

However, in 2023, there was a progressive representation of 49% of women in Parliament, which should be celebrated by everyone, and that can also be attributed to the major strides in the legislative outlook on gender parity.  It is rather sad that despite the political will,  the sad realities of women in terms of inequalities are a reflection of a gap between makers and general citizens whom the law is made for. Another reason for gender inequalities in South Africa can be the capitalist micro and macroeconomic policies.  As the saying goes, there is no justice where capitalism exists. This is also true for gender justice, particularly where women are concerned.

In honouring this year’s International Women’s Day, I believe it is safe to say that the South African democratic government has demonstrated political will in addressing past imbalances. However, they have not yet dealt with capitalism in its full essence. I look forward to the day when our state takes key measures to collapse capitalism for an alternative economy that will put the needs and development of the people, especially the poor and marginalized, before the markets.  As a woman and active citizen, I am actively involved in my small corner in ensuring that that day arrives in my lifetime.