Ramaphosa: 'We cannot rest until we have achieved gender equality throughout society'

JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa said that more needed to be done to achieve gender equality across all sectors of society in South Africa.

He made the remarks during his National Women’s Day address in Tzaneen, Limpopo, on Saturday.

While acknowledging that progress had been made in increasing women’s representation across various sectors, Ramaphosa said it was still far from enough.

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During his address, President Ramaphosa stressed the importance of equal representation for women in all areas of life.

According to Statistics South Africa’s 2024 report, gender gaps remain persistent across key sectors, despite decades of democracy. 

The “Women in South Africa 2024” report by the Commission for Gender Equality highlights that although several policies, such as the national framework for women’s empowerment, had been introduced, progress remained slow.

The report also noted that nearly 50% of women in the country were economically inactive, reflecting continued structural inequality.

Ramaphosa said that while steps had been taken, the country must not become complacent in its efforts to close the gender gap.

"There is today greater inclusion of women in various sectors of our life, in the economy, and also in key leadership positions. There is progress, but this progress, fellow South Africans, is not enough. We cannot rest until we have achieved gender equality throughout society. Today, the women of our country continue to reap the benefits of the changes that were ushered in through the brave actions of the women of 1956. But there is still a lot that we need to do."

Ramaphosa added that women must be supported and advocated for in order to accelerate meaningful change.