Releasing results for the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the second quarter of 2021, Statistician-General, Risenga Maluleke, indicated that gender discrimination remains a major problem in various settings – be it social or economic – including the workplace. 

He noted that the country has made progress in ensuring gender equality, but highlighted that women are still marginalised in many decision-making processes. With the unemployment rate having increased to 34.4%, Maluleke confirmed that youth and women are still the hardest hit. 

His report further indicates that black African women are the most vulnerable with an unemployment rate of 41%, which is 4,2 percentage points higher than the national average. He indicated that approximately 3.4 million out of 10.2 million young people, aged 15-24, were also not in employment, nor in education or any form of training in the second quarter of the year.

“Women’s participation in integrated development planning is not smooth. The plan calls for the country to have sustained campaigns for non-racialism and gender equity, and advocates against gender violence. It also advocates for public employment to have a specific focus on women. In terms of economic growth and sustainable development, gender equality is crucial,” said Maluleke.

His report comes as the country continues to commemorate Women’s Month with many calling on the government to address issues of unemployment and gender-based violence (GBV) faced by women.

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