Females make up over 30,5 million of South Africa’s population, males about 28. 89 million.
That accounts for 51% of the total population.
There are only 22 women who are Chief Executive Officers, making up only 8%. There are 56 women who are Chief Financial Officers, totalling 22%.
The Spanish Business Chamber in partnership with Nedbank organized a women’s celebration titled “conquering the glass ceiling.”
” We want women’s voices to not only be heard, but heeded ” according to Manuela Sanchez, consulting General Manager of the Spanish Business Chamber.
Some of the building blocks for the advancement of women will include mentorship and sponsorships, she said. She also said women should stay away from the PhD (pull her down) syndrome.
“We are not free until every woman is free, and every glass ceiling shattered.”
Sandra Cramer, Ambassador of the European Union in South Africa, spoke about influential lessons learnt from Europe.
She referred to an instrumental equality strategy, there to mainstream gender into policies.
She also referred to intentional ways of cementing gender gaps, to ensure women are not underrepresented in decision – making.
A “Union of equality” in some EU countries works well to end violence against women, ensure equal participation, address pay and pension gaps, and encourage corporates to become transparent about salaries and wages.
Work in SA, is measured against country level priorities, which includes but is not limited to promote social rights, women and girls, digital transformation and creating an enabling environment.
The EU in SA also works with women led small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).
Read more about women honored at the event, panelists and Desigual.