Accenture reiterates the need for gender balance in the South African workplace

Consistent with the sentiment across the global business environment, a senior diversity executive at Accenture Africa has emphasised the importance of gender balance and an environment of equality in the overall capacity of South African organisations to innovate and develop.

The question of gender equality in the workplace is one that has been increasingly debated in South Africa, although the country boasts a number of women in senior business positions. Nevertheless, reports have demonstrated that women in the country face a glass ceiling when it comes to their professional career.

A number of sectors in the country have pledged their commitment to improving the scenario around gender balance in the workplace, particularly as a number of reports released in recent years have suggested that having a greater gender balance is a boon for productivity and organisational growth.

Global management consultancy Accenture is the latest firm to have made this claim in the context of businesses in South Africa and across the broader region of Africa. The firm has based its claims on a study conducted amongst nearly 20,000 executives across the globe, 700 of which are in South Africa.

Predictably, the biggest priority amongst South African businesses in the near future is to foster a culture of innovation. Businesses in the country have been struggling with sluggish growth in recent times, and captains of the business environment have urged that innovation is the way out of this scenario. Gender equality is crucial to this goal.

As explained by Ntombi Mhangwani, Head of the Women’s Forum and Director for Integrated Marketing and Communications at Accenture Africa, “In South Africa, we have a competitive environment. The corporate race is on to innovate and find skilled specialist workers. Recruiting more women for a balanced workforce makes sense.”

“The survey’s findings have particular relevance in our country, where the debate about the role of women, their place in business, politics and other spheres is ongoing. High profile women – including those outside business – like sportswoman Caster Semenya who is fighting for her fundamental rights, have become role models for a new generation of women wanting to use their talents fully. Being given the opportunity to contribute skills and participate in driving innovative practices within companies should be seen as part of women’s broader objectives,” she added.