Empowered women, a catalyst for South Africa's economic growth
Every August, South Africans pause to commemorate Women's Month.
This annual remembrance must be more than a tribute to the heroines of 1956. It must be a moment of national introspection. This year's theme, "Empowered Women Empower Nations", reminds us that when women are empowered to learn, lead, innovate and succeed, they do not transform only their own lives, but also shape the future of South Africa.
Women's Month must therefore compel us to confront one of the defining questions of our democracy: Can South Africa achieve inclusive economic growth while millions of women remain on the periphery of our economy?
Our democracy was built by women who challenged the injustices of apartheid. Charlotte Maxeke understood that education was indispensable to liberation. Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn mobilised thousands of women in the historic 1956 Women's March, while Albertina Sisulu and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela exemplified courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment throughout the liberation struggle. Together with countless ordinary women, they understood that political freedom would remain incomplete unless women enjoyed equal opportunities to participate in the economic, social and political life of the nation.
The democratic breakthrough of 1994 represented far more than a political transition. It ushered in a constitutional order founded on equality, human dignity and non-sexism, guaranteeing women equal protection under the law and equal opportunities to participate in every sphere of society. Over the past three decades, government has pursued deliberate policies to dismantle historical barriers through progressive legislation, institutional reforms, expanded access to education, employment equity and programmes supporting women-owned enterprises.
As a result, millions more women have gained access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities. Today, women are helping to shape South Africa's future in every sector. They account for 64.6% of graduates from South Africa's public universities, reflecting significant progress in building the skilled workforce needed for national development. Women are also assuming greater leadership across government, the judiciary, state institutions and academia, while progress in the private sector is disappointingly slow. Their growing presence in leadership is contributing to stronger governance, more inclusive decision-making and broader national development. These achievements demonstrate that purposeful public policy can transform lives and that, indeed, empowered women empower the nation.
Government has also placed the fight against gender-based violence and femicide at the centre of the national agenda. Through the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, strengthened legislation, specialised support services and coordinated action, South Africa has intensified efforts to protect women and girls from violence and abuse. While more remains to be done, these interventions reflect government's commitment to ensuring that women can live, work and participate in society free from fear and discrimination.
At the same time, significant challenges remain. According to Statistics South Africa, women constitute approximately 52% of the population, yet they continue to experience higher unemployment than men. The persistence of gender-based violence, income disparities and barriers to entrepreneurship reminds us that constitutional rights have not yet become universal lived realities. Progress should inspire us, but must never make us complacent.
The next chapter of South Africa's democratic project must therefore be defined by inclusive economic growth. Gender equality is not only a constitutional imperative but also an economic necessity. Excluding women from the mainstream economy limits South Africa's productive capacity and undermines efforts to accelerate industrialisation, strengthen localisation, expand SMMEs and build a competitive digital economy. No nation can achieve sustained prosperity while under utilising the talent and entrepreneurial potential of more than half of its population.
The evidence is compelling. The World Bank, International Monetary Fund and UN Women have consistently shown that increasing women's participation in the labour market, entrepreneurship and leadership boosts productivity, raises household incomes and accelerates economic growth. South African research reaches the same conclusion. Simply put, investing in women is one of the smartest investments any nation can make.
Economic empowerment creates a multiplier effect that extends well beyond individual success. When women earn an income, they invest disproportionately in their children's education, nutrition, healthcare and wellbeing. A young woman who graduates from university often becomes the first professional in her household, opening opportunities for younger siblings and future generations. Empowering women therefore strengthens families, builds resilient communities and creates the human capital upon which national prosperity depends.
This is especially true as South Africa positions itself for the industries of the future. Women's participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and the green economy will be critical to improving productivity and driving innovation. Equally important is supporting women entrepreneurs to build businesses that create jobs, develop new technologies and compete in domestic and global markets.
Conversely, excluding women from economic participation deprives South Africa of one of its greatest strategic assets. At a time when our country seeks higher growth, greater investment and meaningful job creation, we simply cannot afford to leave millions of talented women on the margins of the economy. Every barrier preventing women from accessing finance, education, leadership, markets or technology is also a barrier to South Africa's economic renewal.
For this reason, government continues to implement policies that broaden economic inclusion, support women-owned enterprises, expand skills development and create opportunities for women and young people. These initiatives form part of the broader national agenda to achieve faster, more inclusive growth and build a competitive economy. Government cannot achieve these objectives alone. The transformation envisioned in our Constitution requires an active partnership between the state, business, labour, civil society and every South African.
The private sector must expand procurement, financing and leadership opportunities for women-owned businesses. Financial institutions must widen access to affordable capital. Educational institutions must equip girls and young women with the skills required for the industries of the future. Communities must reject harmful stereotypes that limit women's aspirations, while men must become active partners in advancing gender equality and confronting gender-based violence.
Advancing women's empowerment is a shared national responsibility. It requires families that encourage girls to dream boldly, employers that provide fair opportunities, investors that back women-led enterprises, community leaders that challenge discrimination and citizens that refuse to remain silent in the face of abuse and injustice.
Women's economic empowerment is therefore not an act of charity or generosity. It is an investment in South Africa's future competitiveness, resilience and prosperity. Unlocking the full potential of women means unlocking the full potential of our nation. As we commemorate Women's Month, let us remember that the extraordinary women who came before us struggled so that every woman could participate fully in building our economy, shaping our democracy and leading our nation.
The true measure of our democracy will not be found only in the rights our Constitution guarantees, but in the opportunities our society creates. When every girl has access to quality education, every woman can pursue her ambitions without discrimination or fear, every entrepreneur can compete on equal terms and every citizen contributes to advancing gender equality, South Africa will honour the legacy of Charlotte Maxeke, Lilian Ngoyi, Albertina Sisulu, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and the women of 1956.
By supporting government efforts, strengthening partnerships across society and accelerating the economic empowerment of women, we will give practical expression to this year's theme: "Empowered Women Empower Nations." South Africa's prosperity will ultimately be measured not only by the growth of our economy, but by whether every woman has the opportunity to contribute to, benefit from and help shape that growth. For when women thrive, communities prosper. When communities prosper, South Africa succeeds.
Nomonde Mnukwa is the Acting Director-General of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) and Acting Government Spokesperson.
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