Yesterday 270 South African Miners were convicted of murder following the deaths of 34 of their colleagues, although they were actually killed by police during violent strikes earlier this month. Now South Africa’s Justice Minister, Jeff Radebe, has demanded that the extraordinary sentence be explained and reviewed. Radebe was quoted as saying that the decision had ‘induced a sense of shock, panic and confusion’ in the nation. It also had adverse affects for the economy.
After news broke of the charges unrest grew and investor confidence dropped. As a result, South African stocks are feeling the squeeze and the rand lost ground against the dollar. Reports released today also indicate that the turbulence may make it hard for the nation to raise project capital. Meanwhile, South African Markets (like those of a host of other nations) are waiting anxiously for Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s big announcement at the central bankers gathering.
So in this time of turmoil could women be the answer to strengthening the South African economy? Well yeah, according to the nations Minister of Economic Development. On Thursday Ebrahim Patel advocated greater economic support for women as he addressed the Women’s Parliament in the International Convention Centre, Cape Town.
The economic balance in South Africa remains unfairly weighted. Although women do generally spend as many years in education as men their pass rate is lower in almost every province, and this is particularly the case in rural areas. Women are also typically paid less than their male counterparts and few occupy high-ranking positions or work in areas like law, engineering and architecture. In total 1.8 million more men are currently working for a living than women.
Patel cited the lingering effects of apartheid for the continuing economic repression of women.
Although he allowed that social progression can be hazardous, Patel appealed to South Africans to understand the manifold benefits such evolution can also bring. He stressed that growth and development would be the welcome consequence of advancing economic support for women in South Africa.
He was equally firm when stating that such an act of support should not be viewed as charity, stating: ‘There’s an economic argument for gender equality – it’s not an act of charity to women, it’s a way that society assists itself to grow and to develop.’
Patel stated that in order for South Africa to expand there needs to be significant improvement in how female professionals, leaders and managers are placed in society. He said that this could be achieved by correcting workplace inequality and boosting the number of entrepreneurial women.
The Minister then commented on the New Growth Plan, of which he is a staunch promoter. In a variety of ways the New Growth Plan will attempt to establish a more impartial and employment-boosting growth. It will also offer women support through measures like driving forward those sectors which employ a large percentage of women (education and healthcare etc) and trying to make the pay grade of men and women more equitable.
With things like childcare and transport generally effecting women more than men Patel added that it was equally vital that the nation ushered in more infrastructure and municipal services.
These measures, in conjunction with the National Infrastructure plan rolled out in March of this year, could make a real difference to women and widely expand their opportunities in the work place.
The Minister closed his talk by reiterating that providing economic support for women was integral to strengthening South Africa, sadly he stopped just short of shouting ‘Girl Power!’
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