As South Africa prepares for the 2026 local government elections, concerns are growing over the decline in women’s political representation despite more than three decades of democracy.
Commissioner at the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE), HRH Princess Eurika Mogane says the trend raises important questions about political accountability, leadership opportunities and whether existing measures are sufficient to protect gender equality in public office.
“The rise of women does not mean the fall of men,” she said. “It is about bringing balance within society, not replacing anyone.”
SMread: Imran Khan detention enters fourth year
Voluntary commitments leave space for decline
According to Mogane, political parties are expected to pursue gender representation through internal commitments rather than legislation. She believes this has contributed to a decline in women’s representation in the National Assembly, which she said now stands at about 43 percent.
The Commission for Gender Equality is advocating for stronger measures and has called for discussions around making gender representation within political parties more enforceable rather than relying solely on voluntary mechanisms.
She also encouraged women within political parties to question leadership decisions and whether women are genuinely being given opportunities to lead or merely counted to satisfy administrative requirements.
“There is accountability that must continue before, during and after elections,” she said, adding that meaningful representation should not end once votes have been cast.
SMread: Three minutes on Sudan
Beyond the numbers
Mogane said representation should not be measured only by how many women appear on party lists.
She questioned whether women are being trusted with positions of influence or whether they are being presented only to create the appearance of inclusivity during election periods.
The commission monitors political participation before, during and after elections to determine whether women continue to hold leadership positions once campaigns have ended.
“If women are only the face during elections and disappear afterwards, those are questions that deserve accountability,” she said.
SMread: Ruqayah Ismail earns SA colours
Looking back to move forward
Reflecting on the 1956 Women’s March, Mogane said the unity shown by more than 20,000 women is an important reminder of what collective action can achieve.
Seventy years later, she believes South Africans should ask whether the goals that inspired those demonstrations have translated into lasting leadership opportunities for women.
Women’s participation should not be reduced to symbolic representation but should include meaningful influence in decision making.
Beyond the headlines
South Africa has become accustomed to speaking about women when they are victims.
Their names echo through marches and memorials. But a democracy cannot measure its commitment to women only by how it responds to violence. It must also be measured by how willingly it hands them the microphone and the power to shape the country’s future.
As the country marks Women’s Month, this is an opportunity to examine whether women are being recognised only in moments of crisis, or whether they are being trusted with leadership, influence and decision-making throughout the year.
The concern isn’t whether women have a voice, but whether the country’s institutions are prepared to listen when they use it.
SMread: Malnutrition crisis deepens as Afghanistan aid dries up
Gender equality goes beyond politics
The discussion also turned to larger concerns around gender inequality in the workplace.
Mogane said the Commission continues to receive complaints relating to unequal pay and workplace practices that disadvantage women across several sectors, including sport, healthcare and entertainment.
She pointed to the continued impact of what is often referred to as the motherhood penalty, where employers view pregnancy and family responsibilities as obstacles to career progression.
Rather than focusing on financial outcomes, she said institutions should examine whether their organisational values reflect a genuine commitment to equality.
Even in the 21st century, factors such as culture and workplace dynamics can influence opportunities for advancement, discouraging many women from pursuing leadership roles.
SMread: Ahead of elections, residents association says change starts at home
Fear as a barrier to reporting
Many women remain reluctant to report discrimination because of concerns about victimisation or constructive dismissal.
Mogane encouraged those who have exhausted internal procedures without success to approach the Commission for Gender Equality.
“You cannot be undermined, bullied or intimidated in a workplace where you have earned your place,” she said. “We are here to ensure that your voice is heard and that you receive the justice you deserve.”
She said the commission investigates complaints from both the public and private sectors, positioning itself as a constitutional safeguard when workplace systems fail to protect employees’ rights.
SMread: BOSA’s 100-day plan for the golden city
Equality requires shared responsibility
While acknowledging the progress South Africa has made since democracy, Mogane said meaningful gender equality requires action from political parties, employers, institutions and society as a whole.
For her, increasing the number of women in leadership is not about achieving quotas, but about ensuring women have the authority, support and opportunity to shape decisions that affect the country’s future.
As Women’s Month invites South Africans to celebrate the achievements of women, it also presents an opportunity for reflection.
Representation cannot be confined to commemorative speeches or annual campaigns.
Its truest measure is found in whether women are trusted to lead long after the month has passed. It is seen in how our women are shaping policies and communities with the same visibility afforded to their struggles.
For more on this conversation, watch the interview below:
Image via BSBI.
