Gender equality in South Africa?

In a new ranking of gender equality published by World Economic Forum, South Africa jumped from number 22 to six place, overtaking Denmark and Ireland. It shows the improved labor force participation of women in that country. Moreover, there are more women members of parliament and cabinet after the election earlier this year. It seems to be a huge achievement of this country 15 years after the beginning of racial equality.

But some facts shocked me and forced me to doubt how much this ranking means. It is reported one in four South African men admitted to have raped women. This proportion is not far from the Rape of Nanking. And the new South African Jacob Zuma is famous for his disdain of female politicians. It’s still to early to judge his ability to lead this country, but his notoriety of practicing polygamy inevitably hurts his country.

If they really want to reach a gender equality, either one quarter of the South African women should do the same to their male compatriots, or the government and society should start thinking about how to deal with the raping problem.