Women’s Day 2022: How to scale up the pace of female empowerment

Tomorrow marks National Women's Day in South Africa, commemorating the day when thousands of women marched to the Union Buildings in 1956 to protest against apartheid pass laws. While there has been improvement in female representation in leadership roles in both the public and private sectors, the journey towards gender equality is far from over. The World Economic Forum estimates that it will take over 100 years to close the gender pay gap, highlighting the need for increased efforts in female empowerment. In a recent interview on CNBC Africa, Ruwayda Redfearn, Chief Executive Officer at Deloitte Africa, and Bettina Engelbrecht, CEO at Clicks, discussed the importance of leadership, the economy, and elevating female empowerment. Both Redfearn and Engelbrecht are trailblazers as the first female CEOs within their respective organizations, emphasizing the progress that has been made but also the need for accelerated change. They reflected on the significance of National Women's Day and the ongoing journey towards gender equity. Redfearn highlighted the legacy of past female leaders who paved the way for the current generation and stressed the importance of continued advocacy for equality. She expressed concern over the projected timeline to achieve gender parity and called for immediate action to shorten that period. Engelbrecht echoed these sentiments, recognizing the strides made while acknowledging the challenges that still lie ahead. She emphasized the importance of education, access to finance, and career opportunities as key factors in advancing female empowerment. One of the critical aspects discussed was the issue of gender pay disparity within organizations. Both Redfearn and Engelbrecht shared insights into the measures their companies have taken to address this issue. Engelbrecht highlighted Clicks' commitment to gender parity, with equal pay for equal work and efforts to eliminate biases in performance reviews. Redfearn echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of setting targets, measuring progress, and holding leaders accountable for achieving gender diversity goals. They agreed on the significance of internal controls and structures to ensure accountability and fairness within organizations. The discussion also delved into the role of external structures in advancing female empowerment. While legislation and quotas were seen as potential tools for accelerating progress, Redfearn and Engelbrecht highlighted the importance of ethical business practices and effective implementation of existing frameworks. They underscored the need for organizations to prioritize sustainability and diversity to drive financial performance and create inclusive environments for women. The conversation concluded with a message of encouragement for young women aspiring to leadership roles. Redfearn and Engelbrecht emphasized the importance of perseverance, dedication, and a collaborative effort between men and women to overcome gender inequalities. They shared their experiences and highlighted the need for role models to inspire the next generation of female leaders. As South Africa commemorates Women's Day, the discussion between Redfearn and Engelbrecht serves as a reminder of the progress made and the challenges that still remain in achieving gender equality and female empowerment.