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Johannesburg - Businesses
are performing "dismally" when it comes to implementing
equality in the workplace, the Commission for Gender Equality
said on Monday.
"It is apparent that progress made regarding gender transformation
in political leadership and among state entities is not
replicated in the corporate arena, and that women and people with
disabilities are under-represented at all levels in the workplace,"
the CGE said in a statement.
The CGE was responding the Employment Equity Commission's annual report
last week which showed that equality was still progressing too
slowly.
"It is clear... that South African businesses are performing dismally
with regard to gender transformation in the workplace."
The CGE was also concerned at the "invisible elements" that continued
to marginalise working women relating to the institutional
culture within a demonstrated male-dominated environment.
These pertained to internal policies and practice regarding recruitment
and promotion, sexual harassment in the workplace, and access
to skills training coupled with the sense that men were taken
more seriously and that women had to "earn their stripes".
This situation was even harder for black women, the CGE said.
"We need stronger enforcement mechanisms for EEC reporting to ensure
compliance, including the increase in value of penalties, and
a Name and Shame and Praise campaign."
Companies should also be required to develop a focused gender equality
strategy with targets and timeframes and to implement women's
empowerment and capacity-building programmes.
Companies should further consider proactive interventions such as
the provision of child-care facilities in the workplace, and the introduction
of flexible working arrangements to enable women to balance
career and domestic responsibilities.
Gender sensitivity and gender equality in the workplace also needed
to become performance requirements for companies and senior management.
"Without such interventions to address both women's representation
and experience in the workplace, we will fail to realise
the notions of gender equality and non-discrimination outlined in our Constitution," the CGE
said.
- Sapa