South Africa has made strides in gender equality, with women taking up more roles in leadership, business, and politics. However, deep-rooted societal barriers still prevent many women from reaching their full potential. Issues like gender-based violence, the pay gap, and cultural expectations continue to limit women’s rights and opportunities.

Here are some of the major challenges South African women still face—and what can be done to break these barriers:

1. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Femicide

South Africa has one of the highest rates of gender-based violence in the world. Every day, women face the risk of domestic abuse, sexual harassment, and femicide. Despite efforts like the National Strategic Plan on GBV and Femicide, many cases go unreported due to fear, stigma, and inadequate law enforcement.

Breaking the Barrier:

• Strengthening laws and ensuring harsher penalties for perpetrators.
• Improving the justice system to provide quicker responses to GBV cases.
• Educating communities on gender equality and consent from a young age.
• Providing more support services like shelters and mental health support for survivors.

2. The Gender Pay Gap and Economic Inequality

Women in South Africa earn, on average, 30% less than men for the same work. Many women are also concentrated in low-paying sectors, with fewer opportunities for career advancement. The impact is even worse for Black women, who face both racial and gender-based discrimination.

Breaking the Barrier:

• Implementing stronger policies for equal pay and salary transparency.
• Encouraging women to negotiate salaries and demand fair wages.
• Creating more programs that support women-owned businesses and entrepreneurship.

3. Unequal Access to Leadership and Decision-Making

Although South Africa has one of the highest percentages of women in parliament, women remain underrepresented in corporate boardrooms and senior management roles. Gender biases and cultural expectations often prevent women from rising in leadership positions.

Breaking the Barrier:

• Encouraging businesses to adopt gender quotas for leadership positions.
• Mentorship programs to support young women in career growth.
• Challenging workplace biases that assume women cannot handle high-pressure roles.

4. Unpaid Domestic and Care Work

South African women spend significantly more time on unpaid care work than men, including childcare, housework, and looking after elderly family members. This limits their ability to pursue education, career opportunities, and financial independence.

Breaking the Barrier:

• Promoting shared responsibilities in households.
• Expanding workplace policies for maternity and paternity leave.
• Providing more affordable childcare and support services for working mothers.

5. Lack of Access to Quality Education for Girls

While education levels for women have improved, girls in rural and disadvantaged communities still face challenges in accessing quality education. Many drop out due to poverty, teenage pregnancy, or the need to support their families.

Breaking the Barrier:

• Expanding scholarship programs for girls, especially in STEM fields.
• Strengthening sexual health education to prevent teenage pregnancies.
• Improving infrastructure in rural schools, including access to menstrual hygiene products.

6. Reproductive Rights and Healthcare Access

Access to sexual and reproductive healthcare remains limited, especially in rural areas. Many women struggle to access contraception, safe abortion services, and maternal healthcare, leading to high rates of maternal mortality and unsafe abortions.

Breaking the Barrier:

• Expanding reproductive health services, particularly in disadvantaged areas.
• Ensuring better education on reproductive rights and family planning.
• Strengthening policies to protect women’s rights to make informed health decisions.

7. Harmful Cultural and Traditional Norms

Many South African women still face cultural barriers that limit their freedom and rights. Practices like child marriages, ukuthwala (forced marriage), and patriarchy in decision-making continue in some communities, restricting women’s independence.

Breaking the Barrier:

• Strengthening laws against harmful traditional practices.
• Promoting gender equality education in schools and communities.
• Empowering young girls to challenge cultural norms that oppress them.

South African women are strong, resilient, and capable—but societal barriers continue to hold them back. While the government, businesses, and civil society are working to break these obstacles, lasting change requires collective action. By advocating for equal rights, challenging harmful norms, and supporting women in leadership, we can create a future where every woman in South Africa can thrive.