The State of Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Indian Ocean Rim.
Country Snapshot:South Africa
Report Data
Average
Report Data
Average 2020
Percentage of women in labour force
46%
51.3%
49%
47%
Percentage of men
60%
79.6%
63%
76%
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 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
Percent of managers who are women
31%
23%
30.2%
25%
Minimum paid weeks of maternity leave
17
4.4
17
14.4
Minimum paid days paternity leave
3
12.5
10
3.5
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%
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%
Percentage of women working in vulnerable employment
%
48%
10%
48%
Percentage of men working in vulnerable employment
%
39%
10%
40%
Percentage of needs met for family planning
%
83.0%
85.1%
83.0%
Want to explore the issue?
Take a LookThis 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.