Editing Economy of South Africa (section)

=== Gender Equality ===
South Africans in general, regardless of race, hold what would be considered "traditional" stances on gender roles for men and women. The majority of the workforce is composed of males, while the majority of women do not participate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.ACTI.FE.ZS|title=Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15–64) (modeled ILO estimate)|website=data.worldbank.org|language=en-us|access-date=2017-12-09}}</ref> This viewpoint on males as "breadwinners" is very much in line with traditional African values across the continent. Additionally, females face a problem in terms of earnings, with 77% of women earning the same as their male counterparts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mg.co.za/article/2015-05-04-south-africa-falling-short-in-gender-equality-standards|title=South Africa falling short in gender equality standards|date=4 May 2015 |access-date=2017-12-09}}</ref> However, more women are becoming part of the agricultural workforce (55%) as of 2012, marking a move towards modernisation for women's participation in the economy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.statssa.gov.za/?cat=25|title=Social welfare {{!}} Statistics South Africa|last=Africa|first=Statistics South|website=statssa.gov.za|language=en-US|access-date=2017-12-09}}</ref>

South African legislation is strongly geared to promoting gender equality in the workplace. This is characterised by several comprehensive government programs and organisations that provide resources and services to females, both adult and adolescent. Such initiatives include the Employment Equity Act, No. 55 of 1988 (aimed at promoting women's participation in mainly private sector jobs).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbeinternational.org/resources/article/other/status-gender-equality-south-africa|title=The Status of Gender Equality in South Africa|website=CBE International|access-date=2017-12-09}}</ref> UNFPA South Africa is one such promoter of these policies and programs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://southafrica.unfpa.org/en/topics/gender-equality-3|title=UNFPA South Africa {{!}} Gender Equality|website=southafrica.unfpa.org|language=en|access-date=2017-12-09|archive-date=9 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209153524/http://southafrica.unfpa.org/en/topics/gender-equality-3}}</ref> Internally, the South African government has founded the Commission for Gender Equality.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://theconversation.com/south-africas-social-welfare-system-faces-deepening-challenges-55962|title=South Africa's social welfare system faces deepening challenges|last=Patel|first=Leila|work=The Conversation|access-date=2017-12-09|language=en}}</ref> The commissions main focus is on securing adequate education and job training for women who are disenfranchised or otherwise at a disadvantage when attempting to enter the workforce.

Not uncommon in Africa, gender equality seems to be a very cogent problem in the South African workforce. According to Bain & Company, around 31% of companies have no form of female leadership, either in management or executive positions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bain.com/publications/articles/gender-disparity-in-south-africa.aspx|title=Gender (Dis)parity in South Africa|date=24 May 2017 |access-date=2017-12-09}}</ref> 22% of board directors are women, however, only 7% were designated as "executives", lower than the global average of 12%.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://northglennews.co.za/115437/stats-show-gender-inequality-power-positions-sa/|title=Stats show gender inequality power positions in SA {{!}} Northglen News|date=2017-08-29|work=Northglen News|access-date=2017-12-09|language=en-US}}</ref> Additionally, the eNPE (Employee Net Promoter Score) for women is a net negative (- 4) as compared to men (8), according to a survey conducted of 1000 participants.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.one.org/africa/policy/status-of-women-and-girls-in-south-africa/|title=Join the fight against extreme poverty|date=2015-08-26|work=ONE|access-date=2017-12-09|language=en-US|archive-date=9 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209152423/https://www.one.org/africa/policy/status-of-women-and-girls-in-south-africa/}}</ref> This indicated a low level of actual economic promotion for women, despite public and international initiative towards the contrary.