Fighting for their rightful place

08 August 2016

 

August is Women’s Month and the spotlight shifts to the efforts to advance gender equality in the workplace and all spheres of society.

 

It is for this reason the City of Johannesburg, in partnership with medical aid LA Health, will host a breakfast for women at the Braamfontein Recreational Centre to reflect on the issues confronting them in the workplace.

The City’s Employment Equity and Diversity Manager, Aurie Kwatsha, says the event, which is in its second year, will be attended by about 500 women from 20 of the city’s departments. Kwatsha says the event will allow women to discuss ways to reaffirm the role of women in the workplace.

“There is this stigma that women belong in the kitchen and are only supposed to bear children. We are saying the workplace is also ours. This is no longer a man’s world.”

Detailing the city’s interventions aimed at promoting gender equality, Kwatsha says although more women have been appointed to senior positions, “the city is still lagging behind, with only 36% women in such positions”.

Creating more opportunities for women

Although gender and development is inclusive for both women and men in the City, Kwatsha says the “focus should be on women.” The imbalance and unequal status of women in most societies results in women not having the same opportunities and personal freedom as men do.

“It is like two glasses, where one is half full and another is empty. The empty glass should get water first and when both glasses become equal, then fill both. If someone tries to fill both glasses without noticing the level of water, it won’t work.”

She says all heads of departments are obliged to follow up and evaluate gender equality efforts in their departments or spheres of responsibility. She further urges women to continue to fight for their positions and stand up for their rights.

• Although Women’s Day is celebrated on 8 March throughout the world, South Africa observes it on 9 August. It is on this day 60 years ago that more than 20 000 South African women of all races marched on the Union Buildings in protest against the pass laws. The march was led by Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and Sophia Williams-de Bruyn.

The leaders of the March have subsequently been awarded the Freedom of the City of Johannesburg and important streets in the inner city were renamed in their honour.