Women’s Month
As an African woman, I’ve learnt the importance of self-definition and living purposefully. It’s vital that every girl determines, as early as possible, who she is and what her contribution to humanity will be.”
– Thuli Madonsela (Former South African Public Protector)
FAB wants to acknowledge the contributions and wonderful qualities of women in our lives. From relatives, to friends, to clients, to associates, to partners, we are surrounded by incredible women who persevere.
In the spirit of the above, Jenny shares thoughts on Gender Equality. This year, South Africa celebrates Women’s Month under the theme: “Women’s Socio-Economic Rights and Empowerment: Building Back Better for Women’s Improved Resilience”. The concept of Generation Equality is a global campaign wanting to achieve gender equality by 2030.
GENDER EQUALITY
The KPMG Women’s Leadership Study (2015) provides riveting insights on how women are socialised to leadership while growing up, and the impact this has on their self-perceptions as leaders. There is no shortage of ambition among the women surveyed: Six in 10 of the working women indicated they aspire to be a senior leader of an organisation.
Along with being the right thing to do, diversity, inclusion, and belonging offer organisations a strategic advantage. The McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace (2021) report reveals that women representation has improved across all levels of the corporate pipeline in 2020. Yet, they also reported hesitancy: More than half of the women agree that ”as women”, they are more cautious in taking steps toward leadership roles, and six in 10 find it hard to see themselves as a leader.
The results reveal a significant disconnect: Women want to lead; however, something is holding them back. The importance of confidence and connections is evident throughout the KPMG study, highlighting key opportunities to influence a woman’s perceptions of leadership. We need to encourage leadership; we need to be role models; and we need to offer appropriate support and development opportunities at work. These are major milestones in the aspiring leader’s life.
We have to step up as woman and take the lead.”
– Beyonce Knowles
INSPIRING SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN
This month we celebrate five strong, courageous South African women who are making a difference in their fields and opening new doors for other women to step through:
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- Professor Thulisile (Thuli) Madonsela – was the Public Protector (2009 – 2016). Currently she is the Law Trust Chair, Social Justice Research at Stellenbosch University. She has championed social justice, rule of law and good governance. She was one of the South African Constitution drafters and co-architect of democracy promotion and protection laws, such as The Promotion of Equality.
- Dr Pregaluxmi (Pregs) Govender – is a human rights activist; she was the second South African Human Rights Commissioner. As a Member of Parliament and Chair of Parliament’s Women’s Committee, she was particularly instrumental in advancing South African women’s rights and initiated the Women’s Budget which has had an impact on budgets globally.
- Nicky Newton-King – the first woman to have run Africa’s biggest stock exchange, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), in its 125-year history. She has been instrumental in writing regulatory legislation, like the Insider Trading Act. She is an outspoken advocate for the promotion of women’s roles in business and within society.
- Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng – is the vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town. She is the first South African black woman to have a PHD in Mathematical Education and is the founder of the Non-Profit Organisation, Adopt-a-learner, which supports learners who require financial assistance.
- Dr Elmi Muller – is changing organ transplant practices across the world and advocating for change over making do with situations. As an organ transplant pioneer, she risked her career in 2008 to perform the first HIV-to-HIV transplant. She champions the promotion of organ transplants, specifically, in Africa and developing countries.
Woman’s Day is not just for women, it’s a day for everyone to celebrate the achievements of women throughout history. It is a reminder every year that we all play a part — Let’s be part of the solution!
And she really did have just enough for one. And as she did that again and again, her life began to change.”
– Unknown