UASA Media Release: 8 August 2025
Statement by Abigail Moyo, spokesperson of the trade union UASA:
This year, South Africa celebrates Women’s Day under the theme “Building Resilient Economies for All.”
This day celebrates the development and progress women have achieved since democracy. However, in celebration, we also take a stand to address the ongoing social and economic challenges that the majority of women still face daily due to inequality and discrimination.
We honour UASA women and all women nationally and across the world for their contributions to economic transformation and social progress. Your hard work is not unnoticed.
We remind fellow South Africans of women’s critical role in every aspect of our lives, especially in the government, which can address women’s challenges and solutions.
In South Africa and globally, women still earn relatively less than men, making the gender pay gap a persisting issue. While the gap between women and men in leadership roles, especially in critical sectors, remains challenging.
The majority of households in the country are female-led, which makes the gender pay gap inequality a harsh reality for females who are breadwinners and carry household and family responsibilities. This is why we remind the government that engagements and adoptions of laws, conventions, and regulations should not only be on paper; there must also be law enforcement that ensures that the passed regulations are practised.
We urge the government and stakeholders to encourage policy development and promote awareness about gender-based inequalities and their impact on economic, social and political spheres. We cannot celebrate women under a theme that calls for women’s inclusivity in economic spheres, but still lack sufficient female leadership in key sectors that play a role in economic development.
Women have been fighting battles for gender equality and awareness, equal pay and advocacy for safety in the workplace and society for many years. While we acknowledge the progress made, we continue to call for women to be fairly recognised as equal contributors in the same way as their counterparts because we cannot fight the same battles for decades on end without proper solutions at hand.
UASA encourages women to continue the fight for fair and equal rights in workplaces and society. Working together in solidarity, we believe we can overcome disparity challenges and build a hopeful future for all.
A better tomorrow starts with you because “when you empower a woman, you empower a nation.” – African Proverb.
We wish UASA members and all women a Happy Women’s Day.
For further enquiries or to set up a personal interview, contact Abigail Moyo at 065 170 0162.