South Africa is joining the world in commemorating International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8, 2025. Hence, the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities has rallied under the theme “Accelerate Action”—a global call to prioritize strategies and resources that advance women’s rights.
This year’s observance aligns with two pivotal milestones: the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995) and the final five years of the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.
Against this backdrop, South Africa’s Government of National Unity reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive economic growth and gender equality. This echoes the World Economic Forum’s push to close gaps in pay, leadership, and economic participation.
Constitutional Mandates Meet Modern Challenges
Section 9 of South Africa’s Constitution enshrines gender equality, obliging all sectors to dismantle systemic inequities. Progress is evident in political representation: women now hold 46% of parliamentary seats and 43% of Cabinet positions, per 2025 government data.
Yet stark disparities persist in corporate leadership and high-income sectors, where women remain underrepresented and face a 23% average wage gap (Stats SA, 2024).
Economic Empowerment: A Priority for the 7th Administration
The government’s 2025 agenda prioritizes job creation and sustainable growth, with a focus on bridging financial divides. Despite strides, only 18% of CEOs in JSE-listed companies are women, and female entrepreneurs struggle to access credit.
The Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities emphasizes stronger policies for financial inclusion. These include low-interest loans for women-led SMEs and workplace protections against discrimination.
Initiatives like the Women’s Economic Justice Pact aim to equip women with tools to grow businesses and manage finances—key steps to achieving the 2030 Agenda’s Goal 5 (Gender Equality).
Beijing +30: Reflecting on Progress
Three decades after the Beijing Conference, South Africa celebrates advancements like the Gender-Responsive Planning Bill (2024), which embeds equity in policymaking. However, gender-based violence (GBV) remains a crisis, with SAPS reporting 12,500 sexual offenses between July and September 2024.
Grassroots campaigns, including government-backed apps like Namola (rapid emergency response) and BokkaMaternal (telemedicine for rural prenatal care), showcase tech-driven solutions aligned with the “Accelerate Action” theme.
Call to Action: From Policy to Practice
To narrow gaps, stakeholders must:
- Amplify Women in Leadership: Enforce quotas for corporate boards and invest in STEM training.
- Combat GBV: Fast-track courts and fund shelters, per the National Strategic Plan on GBV.
- Boost Financial Access: Expand microloan programs and childcare support for working mothers.
Civil society groups like Ilitha Labantu and Businesswomen’s Association of South Africa are critical partners in this mission.
A Global Legacy, A Local Fight
South Africa’s journey mirrors global efforts—from Ukraine’s women rebuilding post-conflict economies to Latin American activists securing reproductive rights. As the 2030 deadline looms, the “Accelerate Action” theme underscores urgency.
Happy International Women’s Day 2025! To women worldwide: Your resilience fuels progress.
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