Abstract:
Despite a huge increase in female labour force participation in South Africa, gender
inequalities continue to undermine decent work objectives. Women employees face
inequality and disadvantages in the workplace. Women currently face glaring pay
differences, gender stereotyping, discrimination based on family responsibilities and
difficulties in balancing work and family life. Gender inequality has always been a problem in
the developing countries, and South Africa is no exception. There is extensive evidence
concerning the level of gender inequality in the mining sector. This study explores the
perceptions of mining employees towards gender equality. The study used mixed methods
research approach. The study employed self-report to solicit the perception of gender
equality at two mining companies located in Limpopo province, South Africa. A nonprobability
type (purposive) of sampling was used to select participants because the
interview depended on the availability of participants.
The major findings illustrate that the mining sector still remains highly masculine though
there has been a movement towards the integration of women into this masculine culture. It
further demonstrates that some men believe that women in the mines can only do what is
considered to be ‘soft’ duties which are related to domestic chores within the households.
