Employees' perceptions towards gender equality: A case study of two mining companies in Limpopo Province

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.