Feminism, bra-burning and women’s development

It seems that conversations around women’s leadership have come full circle. Topics that were regarded as somewhat offbeat are becoming so much more mainstream that even men are offering their version of “why we all need feminine business principles” to the speaking circuit.

But whether you think that this is expedient or a sign of how far we’ve come, the fact that a niche is becoming more popular does not mean that our work is done.

So I’m always a little wary of suggestions that the focus on women’s development is becoming a little tired and that we should focus on a gender-free conversation.

In her article on Women as the next smart business strategy, Candice Silverstone of Deloitte Consulting writes that “While South Africa may be more progressive than its global counterparts in boasting females in management positions (attributed largely to legislated gender equality and employment equity, this finding falls short at more senior positions, with glaring absences of women at CxO and Board levels.”

And although this struggle is fundamental, the sad truth is that for the millions of women who come from less privileged, far crueller circumstances, the reality is much more stark.

“Just taking our own country as an example will expose you to rape and domestic violence statistics that will make you want to weep. In most places in South Africa, the phrase 'single, working mother' can conveniently be shortened to 'mother' because there is no other kind,” writes Fiona Snyckers, mother, feminist and author.

Pregs Govender, one of South Africa’s most outspoken and most accessible feminists, fielded a potentially charged area with signature warmth and ease at our Cape Town women’s leadership conference in May when a delegate posed a question about “bra-burning feminists”.

In fact feminists never burned their bras at all, she explained, and gently pointed out that anyone who supports human rights must by definition support feminism too.

As the newly elected president of IWFSA (The International Women’s Forum of South Africa) Vuyo Mahlati tells us, rather than being overdone, women’s development needs to increase as long as the gender picture remains skewed.

Thankfully there is more research emerging to prove that organisations that advance women are harnessing numerous competitive advantages. But even more urgent is the fact that we need more women leaders to help solve the world’s most pressing problems. No, our work is far from over.

Warm regards
Debby Edelstein

5 minutes with... Vuyokazi Mahlati

Vuyo Mahlati is the newly appointed President of the International Women’s Forum of South Africa, focusing on women leadership, talent and building global leadership networks across the continent and the world.

Who do you regard as your all-time female role model/leader?

My female role model is the late MaSisulu [Albertina Sisulu], particularly as an activist who with integrity and grace handled roles as mother, wife and professional, to the appreciation of all.

Read More...

Love and Courage: A story of insubordination by Pregs Govender
Reviewed by Debby Edelstein

Love and Courage: A story of insubordination (Jacana) is Pregs Govender’s own story, a story of personal and political power told with humanity, integrity and humility.

Pregs is widely admired for her courage and integrity of purpose, qualities that inspired her contribution as an activist and feminist, teacher and trade unionist, and from 1994 to 2002, as a member of South Africa’s democratic parliament.

But there’s also a dancing spirit that runs throughout her story, which starts with her childhood in Durban. And it’s that spirit which makes her book a great read in addition to a great South African commentary. It also meant that she was a delightful energy to have at our women’s leadership conference in Cape Town this year.

She ends her book with the words: “I would finish writing this story even if in the writing of it I spiralled wildly. I would one day release it. I would trust myself as I danced on air.”

Well, release it she did. And she also led us all in dance to the beat of BlaqPearl at the Peninsula Hotel.

We have five copies of Pregs’ book to give away. All you need to do is email Debby with the name of your top South African woman leader.