Home Affairs Deputy Minister Fatima Chohan says the underrepresentation of women in social, political and economic spheres must be addressed if Africa is to develop fully.

Chohan said creating opportunities for women to participate in the economy will improve their earning potential and assist families to move out of poverty.

She was addressing a women’s seminar organised by the Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa (CoRMSA) in Johannesburg on Monday. South African celebrates Women's Month in August.

“The participation of African women in the formal economy is underleveraged and undervalued,” she said.

The Deputy Minister expressed concern on the low number of women in senior management positions.

According to the latest World Bank Enterprise Survey, only one in 26 salaried African women are employed in a senior management position, compared with one in every six men.

“Several African countries have risen to the … challenge and have introduced laws that implement quota systems to increase the representation of women in legislatures and government.

“However, in countries … where no such intervention has been done, the disparity is blinding,” Chohan said.

She said to capitalise on Africa’s predicted growth in the coming years, African leaders are faced with the challenge of easing women’s passage into economic participation.

“As we move to realise our vision for the Africa we want, we need to understand that similar to the global world, there is a continental reality. The world has become a small place, and so has Africa,” the Deputy Minister said.

She said to maximise growth opportunities in Africa, both men and women in Africa need to be able to reach their full potential.

CoRMSA executive director Sicel’mpilo Shange-Buthane said in every society, women play a crucial role and that it is imperative for society to protect them.

“Women face different challenges, they struggle to survive,” she said.

CoRMSA comprises a number of member organisations, including legal practitioners, research units, and refugee and migrant communities. Its main objectives are the promotion and protection of the rights of asylum seekers, refugees and international migrants.

The seminar, themed ‘Women from Africa coming together’, was attended by women from various structures in South Africa and also from various African countries.