Why South African women earn less & here’s how to address this

In South Africa, the issue of gender pay inequality continues to be a challenge faced by many women, both at the professional and unskilled levels. As the country celebrates Women's Month, the spotlight is on addressing the disparities in pay between men and women in the workforce. To shed light on this issue, CNBC Africa hosted a panel discussion with three women who have conducted research on the gender pay gap in South Africa and across the continent. Beverley Hancock, Head of Appoint at Sirdar Group, shared insights from their 2018 report, which focused on privately held family-owned businesses in Africa. The report revealed that only 21% of women sit on boards of the surveyed companies, highlighting a significant gender disparity at the board level. While there has been some progress in embracing diversity in the boardroom, there is still much room for improvement. Lindiwe Sebesh, Executive Committee Member of the South African Reward Association, highlighted the findings from the International Labour Organization report, which surveys over 70 countries annually. The report identified gender-based pay inequities that persist despite legislative requirements for equal pay for work of equal value. The gap between men and women's pay exists across all levels of the workforce, perpetuating the disparities. Siobhan Zurnamer, Lead Researcher at Giraffe, presented their recent report on gender pay disparity in South Africa, focusing on junior to medium-skilled job seekers. The data revealed that men earn 25% more than women on average, with the pay gap widening to 33% for those without a metric qualification. The report also highlighted how the pay gap increases as women progress in their careers, reaching 41% at the peak of their professional journey. One of the key findings from the discussion was that despite advancements in education and work experience, women continue to be undervalued in the workplace compared to their male counterparts. The panel emphasized the need for transparent pay structures, reporting on gender pay gaps by companies, and empowering women to negotiate for equal pay. The discussion also delved into the challenges that women face in the corporate world, including the existence of old boys' clubs, networking barriers, and stereotypes around women's productivity. To address these issues, the panel emphasized the importance of women empowering themselves, breaking into non-traditional industries, negotiating for fair pay, and demanding flexible work arrangements. As the panel concluded, the message was clear - power is not given, it must be sought after. Women need to have confidence, advocate for themselves, and strive for equal treatment in the workplace. Education, industry diversification, and a shift in corporate mindset towards results-based productivity are crucial steps in narrowing the gender pay gap in South Africa. The road to achieving equal pay for equal work may be long, but with continued advocacy, empowerment, and collective action, women in South Africa can strive towards a more equitable and inclusive workforce.