By Johnathan Paoli
There has been a concerning regression of women in political power following the general elections despite the Constitution and policy frameworks that advocate for gender parity.
A provincial thought leadership seminar hosted by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) heard this week that South Africa was not moving in the right direction on the number of women in Cabinet positions.
“The May elections might have had an impact on removing the African National Congress from majority rule, but it is also linked to the decline of women in public office. Women are the majority, 55% voted in elections, and yet they remain unrepresented,” Public Service Commission deputy chairperson Zukiswa Mqolombo told the meeting.
Illustrating her point, Mqolomba described the composition of the Government of National Unity as one woman in a sea of men.
According to an audit conducted by Gender Links, the number of women ministers declined from 50% in 2019 to 44% in 2024, while women deputy ministersdecreased from 46% to 40%.
Even more alarming was the
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