Women are often the glue that holds families together. They are caregivers, providers, planners and, increasingly, wealth creators. Yet while many spend their lives protecting others, they often overlook one equally important responsibility: protecting themselves and planning for the future of those who depend on them.
According to Statistics South Africa’s 2025 General Household Survey, female-headed households account for 42.6% of households in South Africa. This highlights the growing role women play in supporting families, managing finances and often serving as key decision-makers within their households.
Putting women’s financial wellbeing first
From raising children and running households to supporting ageing parents and extended family members, many women carry significant financial and emotional responsibilities. While these contributions are invaluable, they can sometimes come at the expense of their own financial wellbeing.
Women are often the first to step in when a family member needs support, whether emotionally, physically or financially. While this commitment reflects incredible strength and resilience, it can sometimes come at the expense of their own financial security.
Many women today find themselves supporting multiple generations simultaneously. They balance the costs associated with raising children while assisting parents and other dependants. This can make it difficult to prioritise long-term financial planning and protection.
Unexpected life events such as illness, disability, accidents or the loss of income can significantly affect family finances. Without adequate financial protection, the consequences can prove particularly severe for families that rely heavily on one individual’s care and support.
One of the most important financial lessons women can embrace is that protecting yourself is not selfish. In many cases, your ability to care for others depends on your own financial wellbeing. By putting appropriate protection in place, you’re also protecting the people who depend on you.
Protecting wealth and planning for the future
While life cover and other protection solutions can help families navigate financial uncertainty, protecting a family’s future extends beyond insurance.
As more women build wealth through careers, entrepreneurship, property ownership and investments, estate planning is becoming an increasingly important part of the financial planning journey.
Women are increasingly playing a central role in creating, growing and preserving wealth within families. Estate planning ensures that the wealth and security they’ve worked so hard to build continues to benefit their loved ones and future generations.
Estate planning provides individuals with an opportunity to organise their affairs and clearly communicate their wishes. It also helps ensure loved ones receive appropriate care when they can no longer make decisions on their own behalf.
The importance of a valid will
A valid will remains one of the most important estate planning tools available. In addition to setting out how assets should be distributed, a will can assist in nominating guardians for minor children. It can also reduce uncertainty for family members during what is often an emotionally challenging time.
Estate planning is ultimately an extension of the care and responsibility that many women demonstrate every day. It provides clarity, reduces unnecessary stress for loved ones and helps ensure that your wishes are carried out in a way that protects the people who matter most.
For many women, legacy extends beyond financial assets. It is about creating opportunities, protecting loved ones and ensuring future generations can benefit from the foundations built today.
A comprehensive estate plan must also include reviewing beneficiary nominations and considering the needs of dependants. Women should also ensure that important information remains organised and accessible when required.
A well-structured estate plan helps transform years of hard work into a lasting legacy. It provides certainty during difficult times and helps ensure that family wealth continues to serve the purpose for which it was intended.
Building a lasting legacy
As South Africans mark Women’s Month, we encourage women to take time to review their financial wellbeing, protection needs and estate plans. Whether through life cover, income protection, a valid will or broader estate planning, taking proactive steps today can help protect loved ones tomorrow.
As women continue to hold so much together for those around them, it is equally important that they take time to protect themselves, their families and the legacy they hope to leave behind.
Ultimately, protecting the women who protect everyone else is not only about financial security today. It is also about ensuring their impact, values and legacy continue for generations to come. Protecting the women who protect everyone else means giving them the same care, planning and security they provide for those around them.
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| Jabulile Sigasa | Head | Customer Experience | Insurance | mail me | | Carin Meyer | Product Head | Wills & Deceased Banking | Fiduciary | mail me | |
| | FNB | | |
