Daniela Ellerbeck considers developments relating to section 9 of the Constitution – the right to equality – as outlined in the FW de Klerk Foundation’s 2024 Human Rights Report, with a specific focus on gender equality in the workplace.
Daniela Ellerbeck, Manager of Constitutional Programmes at the FW de Klerk Foundation, reflects on gender inequality, barriers of entry into the economy for women and gender-based violence.
Today, the FW de Klerk Foundation made a submission to Parliament on the Draft Marriage Bill 2022.
As we continue to commemorate Women’s Month and the ongoing journey towards gender equality, South Africa is making great strides through two transformative legislative initiatives: the Divorce Act Amendment Bill and the Draft Marriages Act.
According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2023, South Africa stood unchanged from its 20th position in the world in terms of gender equality. The report noted that South Africa had “closed more than 70% of the overall gender gap”, but that it would “take 102 years to close the gender gap”.
65 years ago in South Africa, a group of 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 9 August 1956. It was a historic moment – the women were protesting
South Africa’s former president during apartheid calls for the pandemic to be a turning point in strengthening the rule of law and empowering survivors.
2017 marks the 26th year of this 16-day Campaign, which hardly needs an introduction. The Campaign culminates on International Human Rights Day, which falls on 10 December annually. The 16 Days is directed at raising global awareness about the plight of women and girls when it comes to violence. This group is already marginalised in the classroom, in the boardroom, in private spaces, and in addition, must also fear for their bodily and mental integrity.
The struggle for women to live their daily lives whilst feeling safe has never been highlighted more than it was this year. One only has to consider the plethora of sexual harassment and abuse allegations levelled at high profile individuals, both domestically and internationally, to understand the severity of the problem. There is a wealth of information on the effects of this Campaign. The golden thread that runs through the criticism of it, however, is that the effects are not sustained. For 16 days the world wears orange, takes to social media in solidarity, but thereafter, the problem is arguably benched.
October 11 is commemorated annually the world over to shine the spotlight on issues of gender inequality facing young girls, as well as their access to human rights. The Day was first commemorated in 2012 and finds its origins in the United Nations (UN), which noted the need to highlight discrimination against girls. According to the UN, there are over one billion girls in the world. This commemoration provides an opportunity for society and organisations to raise awareness about the challenges faced by girls based simply on their gender. This year’s theme is “EmPOWER girls: Before, during and after conflict”.
