Aug-Sept 2014 K.indd

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www.cosatu.org.za • AUG/SEPT 2014

ane to remember the Women of 1956

‘The real struggle to be waged by COSATU is tackling unemployment of young people which stands to be higher, with women being in the majority’, said Cde Angie Phetle, COSATU Gender Committee Chairperson and SACCAWU Deputy President The statistics released around July 2014 revealed that ‘The unemployment rate was the highest among the following groups: women, those aged 15–34 years (youth), black African population group and those with educational attainment of less than matric. In Q2: 2014, the unemployment rate among women was 27,5% - 3,7 percentage points higher than among men; the absorption rate among women was 11,8 percentage points lower than among men (36,9% compared with 48,7%); and the labour force participation rate was 13,0 percentage points lower among women than among men’. [STATSSA,Q2,2014] ‘COSATU will continue to ensure women issues become a Trade Union matter’, said Cde Angie Phetle, COSATU Gender Committee Chairperson and SACCAWU Deputy President Various artists such as Ma fi kizolo, Winnie Mashaba, Dj Zinhle, The Muses and Lindiwe Maxolo entertained the masses on the make-shift grand stands at the Union Buildings.

‘The judiciary had two white women in 1994, now there are 61 women judges of which 48 are black women. This constitutes about 30% of the judiciary’. It is without any doubts that South Africa has registered milestones of gender equality and women representation in corridors of power. COSATU in its statement eloquently said ‘...during this month will not be celebrating but will be mourning the

more especially discrimination against women.” ‘South Africa has made visible progress in this regard, judging by the number of women holding public of fi ce and women who have entered fi elds that had been earmarked for men only in the past. Women representation in the National Assembly moved from a mere 2.7% before 1994 to the current

loss of the young ones who lost their lives in the hands of cruel, inhuman criminals. ‘We call on all the COSATU unions, provinces and members to embark on activities against violence and crime and also to give the families moral support during the Court cases.’ Young and colourful pride of the nation

41% women.

‘We are also moving closer to our target of having more women in Cabinet and the National Executive as a whole. We have 20 men and 15 women Ministers as well as 20 men and 17 women Deputy Ministers as of May this year’.

Malibongwe igama lamakhosikazi!

Gender Agenda