GENDER DYNAMICS IN EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR FORCE TRENDS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Year 2019, , 36 - 54, 31.07.2019

Rachel Nishimwe Niymbanira Primrose Thandeka Sabela

https://doi.org/10.34109/ijefs.201911203

Cited By: 3

Abstract

Culture, tradition, norms and stereotypes have always contributed to the
gender division of labour. Women often assume much more of the
household and care responsibilities which inhibit their ability and
opportunity to participate in the labour market. The fact is that career and
family decisions coincide in terms of timing call for systems which would
allow a concordant time investment in both market work and nonmarket
activities. The aim of this paper is to provide facts through a gender-based
comparative analysis of the information on labour force, employment, and
unemployment trends in South Africa, covering the period from 2010 to
2016. The paper analyses secondary data collected from the South African
Quarterly Labour Force Survey covering the period from 2010 to 2016. The
analysis of data is descriptive in nature. The results revealed that women
were more likely than men to be unemployed or underemployed. Women’s
share of the total informal workforce is higher than men’s share and they
(women) are more likely to do unpaid household than men. The gender gap
in employment, occupation and sector translates into limited access to
employment-related social protection among females. Efforts need to be
made in enabling environment towards women’s economic empowerment,
through the expansion and improvement of the infrastructure for care
services.

Keywords

Employment, unemployment, labour market, South Africa, Gender dynamics

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