BRICS SHOULD ADOPT INCLUSIVE APPROACH TO WOMEN

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs argues that the BRICS bloc should move beyond gender-specific forums to mainstream gender perspectives across its broader strategic priorities, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, peacekeeping, and healthcare.

• The BRICS bloc exhibits significant disparities in gender parity based on 2017 World Economic Forum data, with South Africa ranking highest (19th) and India lowest (108th) among the members.
• Gender-based economic inequality persists across the bloc; Brazilian women earn an estimated 23% less than men, and South African women earn 27% less than men.
• In India, women face 'double discrimination' resulting from the intersection of the caste system and patriarchy, which limits their access to the formal economy and political power.
• China has closed its gender gap in professional and technical employment, but faces a long-term structural gender imbalance due to a cultural preference for boys linked to the One Child Policy.
• The Fourth Industrial Revolution poses a dual risk and opportunity for women in BRICS; while automation threatens millions of factory jobs (particularly in China), women with STEM skills can drive economic growth.
• Integrating women into peacekeeping and negotiation is statistically linked to more durable peace initiatives, with a 20% higher likelihood of lasting two years and a 35% higher likelihood of lasting 15 years.
• The success of vaccination campaigns, a 2018 BRICS priority, is heavily dependent on the economic and social welfare of women, as maternal education levels directly correlate to vaccination rates.

APA

VAN STADEN, C., & MPUNGOSE, L. (2018). BRICS SHOULD ADOPT INCLUSIVE APPROACH TO WOMEN. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Policy-Insights-63.pdf

Chicago

VAN STADEN, COBUS, and LUANDA MPUNGOSE. BRICS SHOULD ADOPT INCLUSIVE APPROACH TO WOMEN. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2018. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Policy-Insights-63.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=VAN STADEN |first1=COBUS |last2=MPUNGOSE |first2=LUANDA |title=BRICS SHOULD ADOPT INCLUSIVE APPROACH TO WOMEN |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=July 2018 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Policy-Insights-63.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{vanstaden2018brics, author = {VAN STADEN, COBUS and MPUNGOSE, LUANDA}, title = {{BRICS SHOULD ADOPT INCLUSIVE APPROACH TO WOMEN}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2018}, month = jul, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Policy-Insights-63.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }