The importance of empowering women in South Africa was discussed at the Women’s Professional Network gathering, where the theme of “Celebrating 30 Years of Democracy Towards Women’s Development” was emphasized. Women make up only 44% of the workforce, and a meager 27% hold managerial roles, despite comprising more than half of the population. Encouraging women to consider careers in STEM fields and providing mentorship and support initiatives can increase gender diversity in the workforce, leading to increased productivity, innovation, and enhanced decisionmaking. Excluding women from the economy leads to wage inequality, economic dependency, inherited poverty, and limited access to healthcare services.
