This is according to Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke. Presenting before members of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), who held a virtual meeting of the 1994 Women's Charter for Effective Equality review session in the Free State, Maluleke said there is still a huge salary discrepancy between men and women in the workplace. 

Maluleke says women account for over 51% of the 59 million South Africans yet are still marginalised. In addition to this, Maluleke told the House that women account for a higher percentage of the 30.1% unemployment rate in the country. 

Whilst the review of the 1994 Women's Charter seeks to shed light on all the challenges experienced by women in the country 26 years post democracy, Maluleke told the House key to some challenges is the lack of economic emancipation. He highlighted that more needs to be done to ensure that women in this province and throughout the country are economically active.

His presentation came amidst engagements with women in the Lejweleputswa District and Fezile Dabi District in the Free State.

The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey, released by Maluleke, indicate that the percentage of unemployed South Africans not only stands at 30.1% but that young people and women are still the hardest hit.

The report indicates that the Eastern Cape recorded the highest official and expanded unemployment rate in the country, followed by the Free State at 38.4%.

Whilst the sessions in the province kicked off on Wednesday they were the second leg after the Mangaung Metro Municipality last month.

OFM News previously reported that the NCOP Chair, Sylvia Lucas, who is also the former Premier of the Northern Cape, has confirmed they had successful engagements with women in the province, as well as in the five districts of the Northern Cape. 

She confirmed that lack of economic opportunities, high unemployment rates, crime and lack of basic services are among some of the key issues women are still plagued with.

OFM News