back to "Company support for initiatives promoting civil and political rights: Shell South Africa"

"Women and equality": Excerpt (page 70) from Ukuphemba Umthethosisekelo Wakho / Creating Your Constitution, a 171-page Zulu-language / English-language handbook published in 1994 by the Community Law Centre, with support from Shell South Africa.  © Copyright 1994 Community Law Centre

[The Community Law Centre has since changed its name to Community Law & Rural Development Centre.  It is a South African non-governmental organisation affiliated to the University of Natal.]

Text at top of page:

"Women and equality

   WOMEN MAKE UP MORE THAN HALF of the population of South Africa, yet they are not equally represented in government and most do not have equal powers of decision-making.

   Historically, women have borne the burden of care for children and elderly people, maintenance of the home and food production.  Most of their work is unpaid and where they do have paid jobs, they often earn less than men doing the same job.

   Many women have been unable to own land or property, or enter into contracts without the permission of men.  They have not even been able to decide how many children they will have.  Girls and women have had unequal access to education, training and job opportunities.

   The new Constitution says discrimination on the grounds of gender is not allowed.  In theory, a person should no longer be treated unfairly just because of their sex."

Text in left margin:

"Talking point

 In South Africa, both statutory and customary law have treated women differently to men.  Women have had fewer rights and lower status than men.  Changing the law will not necessarily change attitudes, habits, traditions ore behaviour."

Text in box at bottom of page:

"Questions

1. Apartheid discriminated against people because of their colour.  Were men and women also treated differently?  How?

2. Can you think of any jobs that men should be allowed to hold and women cannot?  Why?

3. There are very few women chiefs.  Why do you think this is?"