PoliticsSouthAfrica: Gender Equality: Stiff penalties for public and private sectors, says Zuma government

Far-reaching equalization measures are planned for both government and other major spheres of society in regard to women's participation in the new South Africa.  This is a major project of societal transformation in the hoped-for resurgence of transformational politics, sponsored by the secure-majority but beleaguered African National Congress party in power.  Remarkably, an unusually h+ level of equalization already exists at the top, percentage of Members of Parliament and cabinet.  But in the wider society there are age-old traditions interwoven in tribal and clan life.  Violence against women is a key issue.

— Politicarp, refWrite Frontpage politics columnist

The government is to introduce draft legislation aimed at enforcing gender equality both in the public and private sector and those who do not comply will face stiff penalties. Strides have been made towards empowering women in South Africa. About 44% of MPs are women and they constitute 43% of cabinet. Private companies will now be forced to look at gender parity in their sector. Still of huge concern is violence against women. Democratic Alliance MP, Helen Lamoela, says women in South Africa still face violence and anger on a daily basis. Some believe that not much has changed for the majority of women. "Not much has changed for the majority of women in our country the most glaring inequality is the lack of respect for women and the rape statistics bear witness to this," says African Christian Democratic Party MP Cheryllyn Dudley. Others feel teenage pregnancy should be given equal attention. The Inkatha Freedom Party, MP Liezel van der Merwe, says:"Surely this is a national crisis that we can no longer ignore." Meanwhile, Ireland's first female president, Mary Robinson, says South African women aren't making the same progress as their predecessors did under apartheid. Robinson was part of panel discussion in Johannesburg, which included veteran trade unionist Emma Mashinini and Gain Chairperson Jay Naidoo. Robinson says the voices of South African women today need to be as vibrant as those under apartheid. She says far too many women keep quiet about issues that directly affect them. “The movement of women in South Africa that was so significant in the fight against apartheid in the struggle for freedom needs to rejuvenate and reinvent itself," says Robinson. She says young women need to be a part of that new movement, fighting for a common goal. Robinson says the voices of South African women today need to be as vibrant as those under apartheid. Women day celebrations August is Women's Month. President Jacob Zuma is expected to address women's Day celebrations at the Union Buildings, Pretoria tomorrow. The ninth of August marks the day in 1956 when women from all races and walks of life marched to the Union Buildings in protest against oppressive apartheid laws. This historic march was a turning point in the role of women in the struggle for freedom and society at large. Since that eventful day, women from all walks of life became equal partners in the struggle for a non-racial and non-sexist South Africa. This year will focus on addressing the challenges faced by rural women. The theme for 2012 is: "56 years of women united against poverty, unemployment and inequality”. The campaign slogan is: “Forward to the Decade of African Women".