GENDER
STEVEN FRIEDMAN: Full equality not in sight for women in political parties
In KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng the elected top five consisted of four men and a woman. In Gauteng, the woman occupies the lowliest position
Every now and again SA is reminded that things we thought had changed have really remained the same. The latest illusion to fall is the ANC’s commitment to sharing posts equally between men and women. Following its December elective conference, at which five of the top six officials elected were men and the woman received the most junior post, two provincial conferences last weekend continued the trend. In KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng the elected top five consisted of four men and a woman. In Gauteng, the woman occupies the lowliest position. Does this mean the ANC is abandoning its commitment to dividing posts equally between men and women? Not really — you can’t abandon something you never had. The conferences continue a pattern that is firmly established in the ANC: if delegates are given a choice, they almost always choose men. This became clear when, after 2007, the ANC gave provinces a say in choosing their candidates for premier. By 2014 the only province to choose a woman was N...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.