The State of Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Indian Ocean Rim.

Country Snapshot:South Africa

2015
Report Data
Regional
Average
2020
Report Data
IORA Regional
Average 2020
Labour Force Participation

Percentage of women in labour force

46%

51.3%

49%

47%

Percentage of men

60%

79.6%

63%

76%

Gender Pay Gap

Pay gap between men and women

20.9%

19%

28.48%

14.6%

Cents women earn to every dollar men earn

79¢

81¢

71.5¢

85.4¢

Unpaid Work Per Day on Average

Unpaid hours worked by women

4.2

4.6

4.3

4.4

Unpaid hours worked by men

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.4

Difference for women

+2.7

+3.0

+2.8

+3.0

Total hours worked by women

6.4

7.6

6.9

6.7

Total hours worked by men

5

6.1

5.8

5.9

Difference for women

+1.4

+1.0

+1.1

+0.8

Women in Management

Percent of managers who are women

31%

23%

30.2%

25%

Maternity & Paternity Leave

Minimum paid weeks of maternity leave

17

4.4

17

14.4

Minimum paid days paternity leave

3

12.5

10

3.5

Gender Equality Laws
% With Laws

Nondiscrimination in hiring

No

20%

Yes

77%

Equal pay for work of equal value

No

33%

Yes

36%

Banning sexual harassment in the workplace

Yes

89%

Yes

77%

STEM Education

Percentage of female graduates from STEM programmes in tertiary education

%

51.3%

13%

17%

Percentage of male graduates from STEM programmes in tertiary education

%

79.6%

28%

34%

Vulnerable Employment

Percentage of women working in vulnerable employment

%

48%

10%

48%

Percentage of men working in vulnerable employment

%

39%

10%

40%

Family Planning

Percentage of needs met for family planning

%

83.0%

85.1%

83.0%

Disclaimer: The source/methodology used to analyze the 2020 data may differ from those of the 2015 report and are therefore not directly comparable, but rather provide a snapshot of trends over time.

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This infographic provides an updated snapshot of the status of women’s economic empowerment in the Indian Ocean Rim region by visualizing data that was included in the 2020 report “Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Indian Ocean Rim: Progress and Challenges”. Data from the 2015 baseline study “Enabling Women’s Contributions to the Indian Ocean Rim Economies” are also included to illustrate trends over time.

Both studies have confirmed that women participate in nearly every aspect of the economy in the countries of the Indian Ocean Rim – in both formal and informal work. While the countries in this region vary considerably in terms of their areas, populations and levels of economic development, they share many of the same challenges and opportunities for women’s economic empowerment. It is important to note that the 2020 report includes data from sources published prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has further exacerbated many of the obstacles to women’s economic empowerment in the region.

In 2018, Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Member States reaffirmed their commitment to women’s economic empowerment in the Balaclava Declaration on Women’s Economic Empowerment and Gender Equality as a Pre-Requisite for Sustainable Development. Member States acknowledged that women’s economic empowerment is a foundational element of gender equality and the full and equal realisation of women’s human rights and is thus integral to all dimensions of inclusive and sustainable development.

UN Women would especially like to thank the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for their contributions to producing the infographic and the associated report.