May is the month in which we celebrate mothers, this is a day when people all over South Africa reflect on motherhood and what it means to them. Yet for many of the women we
celebrate, “mom” is just one of their many titles. In fact, recent statistics by STATS SA indicate that 63% of women, almost all of whom have children participate in and are full time
employees in the labour force.
It was the Former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama who said:
“For me, being a mother made me a better professional, because coming home every night to my girls reminded me what I was working for. And being a professional made me a better mother, because by pursuing my dreams, I was modelling for my girls how to pursue their dreams.”
These are words to live by for women, who are in most cases mothers, to become more focused and determined to strive for gender equality and growth within a male dominated work environment.
Why is it that in 2022 women are still having to prove themselves more than their male
counterparts? Why has society and the workforce not moved away from an unequal work environment and embraced the multitasking, working mother of the new century?
Our country has made great progress in terms of promoting gender equality. South Africa has a dedicated ministry and legislation devoted to ensuring women’s equality. The National Development Plan (NDP) calls for Local Government to include more women at representative levels, as well as in shaping budgetary priorities. The aim of the plan is to advocate for employment in all sectors and industries in the national workforce and specifically to focus on promoting women.
Although there are many companies who are doing just that, there are too many who are not. It leaves a sour taste which causes women to face challenging situations.
These challenges include, but are not limed to:
- A lack of a psychological safety net and/or
- Having tough conversations and/or
- Microaggressions and/or
- Just being a working mom.
Let us look at these challenges in detail:
- A lack of a psychological safety net
When women speak out or try and voice an opinion regarding issues, concerns or problem-
solving tactics in the workplace, it is usually met with disbelief and discouragement. This causes a fear, which precludes women to speak up in future. Let us not forget that women are the
powerhouse in many aspects of their lives and must become the leaders that they wish to
portray within the workplace. They must create the opportunities for leadership and not be afraid to speak their minds without any doubt from colleagues and subordinates.
- Having tough conversations
Successful women in the workplace have, and are showing us, that despite barriers, leadership is there for those of us that actively take it. Women gain insights into the most challenging
conversation and upskill themselves to face these difficult conversations more successfully.
- Microaggressions
It has been a long and hard road to fight for their rights when facing harassment in the workplace. Women are victimised because they either dress to sexy, or show too much cleavage, or say something that can be construed as asking for it. And why must this be the case for women, why should a statement, action, or incident regarded as an instance of indirect, subtle, or
unintentional discrimination against a woman be marginalised. Women should not need to provide more evidence of competence than others, or have judgement questioned in area of expertise, or be interrupted when trying to put view across or be regarded as “bossy” or
aggressive or be mistaken for someone in a more junior position.
4. Just being a working mom
The workforce is plagued by people in decision making positions not wanting to hire a woman, because she is a mother and has children. Because the stigma is that mothers have other
responsibilities. Mainly to jump when there is a problem with one of their children. But is it not unreasonable to expect mothers not to be available in these circumstances? Women had to learn for many years how to juggle a sick child and at the same time perform their duties and
responsibilities as a working mother. And let’s be honest, it is not like all of us can afford a nannie, au-pair or full-time caregiver. A mother is just that, a full-time caregiver, a full time careerwomen, a full-time wife and just about a full time any-and-everything. And women are more than equipped to multitask to do all the above. We have been doing it for what feels like forever.
In my opinion all companies should address the inequality of women in the workplace. They should aspire to treating women with the same respect, dignity and professionalism that they would to a man. I implore you, who read this article and to take the following away from this – “if women are expected to do the same work as men, we must teach them the same things, and respect them in the same way”.