South African women are still not considered equal to men under the law. In some respects, they actually enjoy more rights than their sisters in other developing countries (for example, South Africa was one of the first countries in Africa to pass a law against gender discrimination). However, there is still a long way to go before women achieve full equality. For example:
- Rape and domestic violence remain serious problems for many women;
- Women still struggle for adequate healthcare; and
How women are vulnerable in South Africa?
Women are also vulnerable to rape because of the high levels of unemployment in South Africa. When people do not have jobs and must rely on their families or friends for support, they might feel like they owe something in return—including sex—to those who provide it for free. This gives predators a sense of entitlement over victims’ bodies and makes them more likely to commit acts like sexual harassment or assault without fearing consequences from law enforcement officials who know how difficult it is for people living below poverty line standards (i) (ii).
Women are obviously protected by the full range of rights
As a South African woman, you have the right to be treated equally in all aspects of life. You have the right to work, vote and own property. You also have the right to freedom of movement and expression; you are protected by law from discrimination/persecution based on your race or gender. These rights are enshrined in our Constitution and they apply equally to men and women alike. This means that both genders should enjoy equal opportunities at work without fear or intimidation; they should be able to make decisions about their own lives without outside interference; they should be able to do so without fear of violence or abuse because we live in an inclusive society where every person has dignity regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.
