2021 Women's Day Youth Statement

The 2021 Women's Day Youth Statement, produced by the Youth Policy Committee Gender Working Group, outlines recommendations to achieve gender equality in South Africa. It calls for the dismantling of patriarchal systems through enhanced female leadership, intersectional approaches to oppression, and the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ individuals. The statement highlights critical failures in the implementation of existing policies, particularly regarding gender-based violence, sexual harassment in education and employment, and the digital divide.

• The youth of South Africa identify a lack of meaningful representation for young women and LGBTQIA+ individuals in decision-making spaces, which they attribute to a patriarchal society. They argue that current representation is often viewed as "tokens" and call for the creation of platforms for women and non-binary individuals at local, provincial, and national government levels.
• Gender-based violence (GBV) is described as a major concern, with South Africa referred to as the "Worlds Rape Capital" where a woman is sexually assaulted every 17 seconds. The statement notes that the justice system often fails to protect vulnerable women and children because perpetrators are frequently condoned.
• The document highlights a significant gap between the creation of policies and their actual implementation. While acknowledging government efforts like the Presidential Summit Against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, the authors call for better monitoring, transparency, and annual reporting on the National Strategic Plan on GBV and Femicide.
• Educational deficiencies are cited as a barrier to equality, specifically the lack of comprehensive sex education. In 2019, only 5% of South African schools provided such education, with the Life Orientation syllabus focusing on heteronormative relations and HIV rather than the gender spectrum, consent, or patriarchy.
• The statement emphasizes the need for an intersectional approach to gender equality, noting that women of lower socioeconomic status, women of colour, and Black Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) are more vulnerable to oppression. It also identifies language as a barrier to empowerment, as many vulnerable women have limited understanding of English.
• The authors argue that patriarchal systems harm all citizens, including men, by associating male identity with "invulnerability and self-reliance," which leads to risky sexual behavior and low health-seeking behavior. They urge men to participate in dialogues about female issues to understand the consequences of their actions or silence.
• In the employment sector, the statement claims that real transformation is hindered by male resistance and prejudices. It suggests that businesses should implement gender diversity strategies, including positive discrimination such as bonuses for companies that meet specific quotas for women in employment and management.
• The document identifies the "digital divide" as a critical gap that transnational organizations and the government must address, as it exacerbates barriers to literacy and employment for marginalised women and girls across Africa.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2021). 2021 Women's Day Youth Statement. https://saiia.org.za/youth-blogs/2021-womens-day-youth-statement/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. 2021 Women's Day Youth Statement. 2021. https://saiia.org.za/youth-blogs/2021-womens-day-youth-statement/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=2021 Women's Day Youth Statement |date=6 August 2021 |url=https://saiia.org.za/youth-blogs/2021-womens-day-youth-statement/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs20212021, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{2021 Women's Day Youth Statement}}, publisher = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2021}, month = aug, url = {https://saiia.org.za/youth-blogs/2021-womens-day-youth-statement/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }