South Africa commits to equity in the workplace by 2030

South Africa has committed to achieving workplace equity by 2030, reducing the impact of HIV and AIDS, and ending violence against women.

Over the next five years, the country intends to focus on equal representation, women’s empowerment, women’s health, and eradicating violence against women.

Two key legislative measures to promote equity are the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act and the Employment Equity Act, both of which will be fully implemented to achieve gender parity by 2030, in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

This will involve mandatory affirmative action and the enforcement of a Code of Good Practice to ensure equal pay for work of equal value within the next five years.

Additional steps to prioritise women’s needs will include changes in procurement processes, efforts to ensure universal financial access for women by 2020, and making budgets more gender-responsive at all levels.

South Africa also has a five-year goal to work towards an HIV-free generation, particularly focusing on girls and young women. The country will prioritise the elimination of violence against women through national dialogues and a public awareness campaign aligned with UN Women’s HeForShe initiative.