AS the dust settles from the municipal elections and celebrations of National Women’s Month comes to an end Stats SA have delved into the gender representation within local government.

While women make up more than half of South Africa’s population (55.6 million), men still dominate the business world,  Stats SA said yesterday.

According to the recent survey, there has been a decline in the number of women who have been elected as provincial mayors in the country. The percentage has dropped from 42 per cent in 2011 to 38 per cent.

What’s more, women only hold 31 per cent of managerial positions in the country’s labour force, while 32 per cent have been elected as Supreme Court judges.

Since 2011 there has been no change in the number if females that have been elected as municipal ward councillors. The percentage has remained at 39 per cent.

The Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill hopes to facilitate a 50 per cent representation of women in various spheres of society.
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