The president said government’s ambition was to open up opportunities for women-owned businesses in the broader economy.
President Cyril Ramaphosa says 'even women who have jobs are often expected to do housework and childcare, making it more difficult for them to find employment, earn a decent wage, be promoted or start a business'. File photo: SUPPLIED
President Cyril Ramaphosa says government ought to tackle the challenges that stand in the way of women’s full participation in economic activity.Speaking ahead of International Women’s Day this week, the president called on the nation to focus on what needs to be done to achieve equal rights and opportunities for women.“From the beginning we must ensure girls and young women have equal access to education and an equal chance to succeed.
“It is significant that last year more females passed the matric exams and got more distinctions than their male counterparts. There are more female students enrolled at institutions of higher learning than males,” said Ramaphosa.Despite the progress, the president said it had yet to translate into the economy, where women are more likely to be unemployed than men.“About half of all women in SA are unemployed, including those who have given up looking for work.
Ramaphosa said there were other areas where government is working with partners to improve the economic position of women.“The Presidential Employment Stimulus programme, for example, has provided work and employment opportunities to more than a million people since it was launched in 2020. Of these more than 60% were women. Similarly, of the 140,000 small-scale farmers to whom government provided vouchers to buy seeds, fertiliser and equipment, 68% were women.
He said the countryshould celebrate these achievements, but recognise the gap between the economic position of men and women is still huge.
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