Advancing Women’s Economic Empowerment in South Africa through B-BBEE

On August 31, 2023, the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Commission and the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) collaborated to host a hybrid roundtable discussion titled “Mainstreaming Women’s Economic Empowerment through B-BBEE.” The event was part of the Women’s Month Campaign, which aimed to bring together women leaders from various sectors to discuss policies and practices for promoting women’s economic empowerment in South Africa.

Objectives and Format of the Roundtable

The roundtable discussion had several key objectives, including reflecting on policies related to women’s economic empowerment, identifying gaps in these policies, exploring ways to align existing policies with B-BBEE, and promoting good corporate governance and accountability on women’s economic empowerment. The event was held in a hybrid format, with participants attending in person at the Ronnie Mamoepa Press Room in Pretoria and virtually via Zoom. The organizers provided live streaming on the government’s YouTube channel to ensure a wider audience.

Evaluating Policies for Women’s Economic Empowerment

One of the significant aspects of the roundtable discussion was the need to assess policies related to women’s economic empowerment critically. Participants explored the possibility of aligning these policies with B-BBEE, a framework that promotes equal opportunities for Black individuals, women, and people with disabilities in the South African economy. By integrating the two frameworks, the dialogue aimed to develop a more holistic approach to women’s economic empowerment.

Addressing Gaps in Policies for Women’s Economic Empowerment

Another primary objective of the roundtable was to address gaps in policies designed to uplift women. Participants sought to identify areas of improvement and explore innovative ideas that could help close the gap between women and their male counterparts in the economic sphere.

Promoting Good Corporate Governance and Accountability

The roundtable emphasized the importance of promoting good corporate governance and accountability on women’s economic empowerment. Participants highlighted the need for organizations to take responsibility for their role in fostering women’s economic growth and to implement measures that ensure the fair and equal treatment of women in the workplace.

The roundtable discussion was a significant step towards identifying and addressing the challenges women face in achieving economic empowerment in South Africa. By bringing together women leaders from diverse sectors, participants were able to discuss the underlying issues hindering women’s progress and explore potential solutions. While the dialogue has ended, the conversation on mainstreaming women’s economic empowerment through B-BBEE continues, inspiring hope for a brighter and more equitable future for women in South Africa.