From Tradition to Transformation: Accelerating Gender Equality in South Africa

By Ndingani Mashanzhi

Deep-rooted cultural and religious beliefs continue to limit women's aspirations and reinforce gender inequality in South Africa. Growing up in a rural community in Venda, in the sacred Heart of Limpopo province, I experienced firsthand how traditional norms dictated and confined women primarily to domestic and caregiving roles. A woman’s path was not paved with choice, but with expectation. My dream of a sports career was dismissed as ‘unfit for girls,’ and even physiotherapy—my bridge to that world—was blocked, my family citing fear of allowing me to study outside my home province.  Still, in 2025, such experiences are widespread, highlighting how cultural and patriarchal norms shape and constrain women's opportunities. While traditions play a vital role in identity, they often perpetuate gender stereotypes, making it crucial to challenge these barriers and promote inclusivity.

The World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2024 estimates that it will take approximately 134 years to close the global gender gap. With this year’s theme for International Women’s Day calling for urgency to accelerate action on gender equality, I am sharing my thoughts on how cultural and religious barriers continue to stall progress toward gender equality in South Africa. 

Breaking the Chains: How Patriarchy Sustains Gender Disparities

The basic societal structure in South Africa mostly positions men as primary authority figures in families, workplaces, and governance. It often confines women to domestic responsibilities, limiting their ability to access opportunities, lead, and challenge societal expectations like the inspiring women of 1956 who staged the historic mass march against Apartheid pass laws. Such expectations reinforce stereotypes that men are natural leaders while women are caregivers, incapable of sound decision-making. A 2024 Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) National Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevalence Study revealed that 7 in 10 men believe women should obey their husbands. These deeply ingrained beliefs perpetuate gender inequality, contributing to intergenerational disparities. 

More Than Just a Pay Gap: The Systemic Challenges Facing Women at Work 

South Africa has made notable progress in many areas such as legal frameworks to promote gender equality. Despite these advancements, women continue to face significant challenges in the workplace that hinder their economic progress. Reports from UN Women highlight persistent inequalities such as the gender pay gap, with women earning substantially less than their male counterparts. Additionally, women experience lower employment rates and are underrepresented in senior leadership roles, largely due to systemic biases and discrimination. In many cases, women are viewed as liabilities, particularly because of pregnancy-related leave and maternity responsibilities, a perception that is perpetuated by the predominance of men in decision-making positions. These biases not only hinder their career growth but also influence personal decisions, including family planning, as women navigate the complex balance between career aspirations and societal expectations.

The Divine Divide: How Faith Traditions Limit Women’s Empowerment

As one of the most religious nations in the world, South Africa has a significant majority of women actively involved in faith communities. However, many religious traditions exclude women from leadership roles, promoting gender inequalities in both religious institutions and households. Certain religious policies also restrict women’s reproductive rights and access to contraception, reinforcing economic dependency and limiting empowerment.  Out of respect for their faith, many women adhere to these traditional gender norms, even when they limit their aspirations. The UN Women’s "Religion and Gender Equality" brief highlights how religious institutions can perpetuate these traditional gender roles, hindering women’s empowerment. It argues that faith-based organisations have the potential to play an essential role in advancing gender equality by challenging patriarchal interpretations and advocating for women’s rights, acknowledging the significant influence of religious institutions in shaping gender dynamics.

Breaking the cycle: what can be done?

The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognises gender equality as a fundamental human right and a necessary foundation for a prosperous world. Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals explicitly calls for achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. To break cultural and religious barriers to gender equality in South Africa, we must:

• Facilitate open conversations between communities and leaders to challenge harmful gender norms.
• Implement programs that promote gender equality and respect for women’s rights in schools and religious spaces.
• Create leadership opportunities for women in cultural and religious institutions.
• Strengthen laws to protect women while respecting cultural and religious practices.
• Involve men and boys as allies to change attitudes and promote equality.

Bridging Tradition and Equality: The Path to a Fairer Future

Cultural beliefs have long shaped societal norms and values, but they should not serve as an obstacle to gender equality. While respecting cultural and religious traditions, it is essential to critically evaluate and reform those that infringe upon fundamental human rights. True progress lies in balancing cultural identity with the universal principles of equality, ensuring that every individual, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to thrive. By challenging outdated norms, fostering education, and implementing policies that promote inclusion, we can create a future where gender equality is not just an ideal but a reality. Gender equality remains a distant summit—we’ve climbed far, but the peak is still shrouded in barriers.

Ndingani Mashanzhi, Programme Support Officer within UNDP’s Nature, Climate and Energy unit, is an environmental professional with over five years of experience in environmental management. She has contributed to key initiatives supporting South Africa’s commitments to carbon emissions reduction and sustainable development, with a strong focus on climate resilience and sustainability. Her expertise encompasses project management and coordination, environmental education, natural resource management, and field monitoring, underpinned by a solid academic foundation in Environmental Sciences