Status of South African Women Report

In South Africa, there are many opinions on the perceptions women. This can make it difficult to have factual information and can cause assumptions. South Africa is placed 26th out of 182 countries under the United Nations gender empowerment measure ("Walking several places," 2010). However, under the United Nations gender-related development index, South Africa placed 129th, again out of 182, ("Walking several places," 2010). Although these ranks measure somewhat different things, this can provide evidence that there are mixed views on women in this country. In the countrys recent constitution, South Africa promotes womens rights. The 1996 document longs for non-sexism along with non-racialism. Legalizing abortion, giving women equal power in marriage, [and] cracking down on domestic violence were just some of the laws that came into play ("Walking several places," 2010). South Africas views on womens rights were better in theory than what was actually practiced, like most things, but South Africa continues to strive for gender equality. Although inequality has been disappearing, there are still some traces that reflect on the status of women. Some professions, like nursing, is regarded as a womans prerogative and that few men enter this profession ("Status of women"). However, select professions have been a battle for women to enter or gain recognition from, like law or medicine. Over the last few decades, women in South Africa have fought to gain equality and admission. It is clearly shown, just from the

rising numbers of women in professions, that South African womens hard efforts are paying off. The map Governmental Participation by Women scaled in 2010, shown below, illustrates that South Africa has 40% or higher of women participation in parliament. This is interesting because by just glancing at the map, most countries are depicted as red, which is less than 10% in parliament. Even compared to the United States, South Africa has more governmental participation by women.

("Government participation by)

The map below shows how populations rate on the Gender Empowerment Measure throughout the world. It also is a measurement of opportunities that women are given. As the map shows, Western Europe appears to be where women have a higher amount of opportunities and Middle Eastern countries have a very slim amount of opportunities. Taking a look at South Africa, the map provides evidence that there is in fact a decent amount of opportunities for women.

("Gender empowerment") In conclusion, South Africa has made great strides to have gender equality. Women have shown efforts to chose their own profession and future. Although it has been a struggle, South African women have proven that a brighter future is among them.

Sources: (2006). Gender empowerment [Web Map]. Retrieved from http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=181 (2010). Government participation by women [Web Map]. Retrieved from http://womanstats.org/newmapspage.html Status of women in South Africa. Retrieved from http://ancestry24.com/status-ofwomen-in-south-africa/ Walking several places behind. (2010, Oct 7). Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/node/17204625