COVID-19: How the pandemic is exacerbating gender, unemployment gap in SA

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on economies worldwide, and South Africa is no exception. According to a National Impact Dynamics Study, a staggering 3.6 million South Africans lost their jobs between February and April this year. Amongst those who were hardest hit are women, who accounted for two-thirds of the figures and make up the majority of the 8.5 million unemployed youth in the country. To delve deeper into this critical issue, Tashmia Ismail-Saville, the CEO of the Youth Employment Services, joined CNBC Africa for an insightful discussion. Ismail-Saville shed light on the core problems leading to women being disproportionately affected by unemployment in South Africa. She emphasized that young women often face the challenge of juggling motherhood and work responsibilities, making it difficult for them to access job opportunities. Additionally, cultural biases and gender stereotypes play a significant role in limiting women's access to various industries, especially those perceived as male-dominated or requiring manual labor. The CEO highlighted that the post-lockdown scenario has further exacerbated the gender disparity in unemployment, particularly impacting women working in sectors such as personal care, beauty, and hairdressing, which were forced to shut down due to the pandemic. Ismail-Saville pointed out that current projections indicate that two-thirds of the predicted three million newly unemployed individuals post-lockdown will be women, signaling a dire situation for female workers. The conversation touched on the need for government intervention to encourage women to explore diverse job sectors and create equal opportunities in the workspace. Ismail-Saville emphasized the importance of not pigeonholing women into specific industries but striving for gender equality across all sectors. She highlighted innovative initiatives, such as redesigning machinery and tools in vocational spaces to cater to women's needs, as a step towards true empowerment and inclusivity. Moreover, Ismail-Saville emphasized the economic benefits of focusing on women in the workforce. Research suggests that teams and boards with greater gender diversity tend to outperform those with fewer women. In the context of South Africa, where women head a significant number of households, investing in women's employment not only boosts industry success but also contributes to the prosperity of families and communities. Women are more likely to prioritize investing in the nutrition and education of their families, leading to long-term socio-economic benefits. In essence, tackling the gender disparity in unemployment is not just a moral imperative but a strategic economic decision for South Africa. By empowering women, businesses can drive innovation, enhance productivity, and foster inclusive growth. The current crisis underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to create a more equitable and resilient workforce, ensuring that women have equal opportunities to contribute to the country's economic development and social well-being.