Tag: gender equality

Dr Kofi Annan (former UN Secretary-General) once said, "There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women," and he was right. Our continent continues to face development challenges because women and girls, in many societies today, continue to have a constricted channel to success in this ever-competitive world.

Unfair discrimination on the grounds of pregnancy is prohibited under South African law. Despite the protections afforded to employees who are pregnant, or who intend to become pregnant, and the many inroads South African labour legislation has made on gender equality, provisions and practical application may be inadequate.

It's 2022. We have electric cars, online shopping (and drones to deliver it), and artificial intelligence - fantastic. But why do we not see loads of women growing, thriving and revolutionising the world in this highly evolved environment?

What you don’t measure, you don’t achieve. It is the reality in just about every organisation. However, despite the progress in gender equality over the years, issues of gender mainstreaming in the workplace are still commonly seen as a sundry matter – and this needs to change.

Gender equality is a basic human right, yet progress towards equal rights for women remains elusive globally.

Widespread burnout and lack of flexible work continues to hinder progress in supporting working women, according to the our latest report, Women @ Work 2022: A Global Outlook released this month. The research reveals that 53% of women globally say their stress levels are higher than they were a year ago, and almost half feel burned out.

As we joined hands with the rest of the world to commemorate International Women’s Day in the spirit of ‘Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow’, it is imperative to ensure that more is done to end the debilitating impact of ongoing gender-based violence and femicide in the workplace. 

The gender pay gap is holding back African economies from unlocking their true potential. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in widespread job losses globally, disproportionately affecting women more than men. It is more urgent that ever to address the lack of gender equality on the African continent across all spheres of society.

The world of work is evolving and while we have seen some positive changes to the workplace since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a change taking place that negatively impacts our businesses, community and economy. It is the greater decline of women in the workplace.

The unique perspective and benefits that women leaders bring to the businesses, communities and countries that they head is well-known. There is a growing body of research showcasing the evidence of these advantages: from better market share, to lower levels of job stress, burnout, anxiety and depression, and even better handling of the outbreak of the pandemic.