Rural–urban variations in age at menarche, adult height, leg-length and abdominal adiposity in black South African women in transitioning South Africa

The active participation of Black South African women in the corporate sector is essential for the achievement of equity and diversity. Since 1994 the sector has failed to promote black women into managerial positions despite the existence of the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 that requires the equitable representation of previously disadvantaged groups on all occupational levels. Conversely, the managerial positions in the South African corporate sector continue to be dominated by white males and little effort is being made to achieve equity. The paucity of black women persists in the corporate sector during a period in which South Africa, like many other countries, is preparing itself for the fourth industrial revolution, which has broad implications for the sector. Black women are under-represented in the emerging technological environment in South Africa, and this imbalance is further perpetuating the exclusion of black women from managerial positions. This paper argues that the emerging technological environment presents an opportunity for the corporate sector to reflect on the training needs of Black women and prioritise technology in its quest to achieve equity. An increase in the number of black women with technological skills would enhance their prospects of occupying meaningful managerial roles. The corporate sector in South Africa is expected to comply with progressive statutory interventions and policies to advance women in the emerging technological environment who have the right qualifications, experience, and competency to fill the managerial positions from which they were previously excluded. In this paper we examine and analyse the challenges which are hampering the progression of black women into managerial echelons in post-1994 democratic South Africa. In order to present an objective and balanced view, we also present the strides being taken by some corporates (very few of them) to address the problem of the obstacles to the advancement of Black South African women to managerial positions.

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Osteoporosis in Black South African Women: Myth or Reality

The Journal of South Asian Federation of Menopause Societies ◽

10.5005/jp-journals-10032-1118 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 111-116

Author(s):

Lineo Matsela ◽

Olakunle Towobola ◽

Ephraim T Mokgokong

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Postmenopausal Women ◽

South African ◽

African Women ◽

World Health ◽

Mineral Density ◽

Black South African ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Perimenopausal Women ◽

South African Women

ABSTRACT Aim The study was conducted to ascertain the severity of the occurrence of osteopenia and osteoporosis among black South African women during their transition from premenopause to postmenopause. Materials and methods Sixty-eight black South African women, aged between 32 and 77 years, residents of three districts of Pretoria, South Africa, constituted the participants in the study. Following informed consent, the women were randomly recruited and assessed for age, medical history, and lifestyle data. Each woman was classified as being premenopause, perimenopause, or postmenopause based on her menstrual history within the preceding 12 months to the study. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the L1-L4 vertebrae and the hip vertebrae was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) method and the results were expressed as T-scores based on World Health Organization (WHO) classifications for osteopenia and osteoporosis. Results Osteopenia was found in 2 of the 8 (25%) premenopausal women aged 37 and 38 years. Similarly, 2 perimenopausal women out of the 28 (7.1%), aged 45 and 49 years, also had evidence of osteopenia. Among 32 postmenopausal women, 11 (34.4%) had osteopenia and 8 (25%) were diagnosed with osteoporosis. There was no statistical significant difference (p = 0.0832) for osteopenia between premenopausal and perimenopausal women. However, the incidence of osteopenia became statistically significant between premenopausal and postmenopausal women (p = 0.0137), and between perimenopausal and postmenopausal women (p = 0.0218). Conclusion Even from this small cohort study, it is apparent that osteoporosis does afflict postmenopausal black South African women. The need to institute screening strategies and appropriate guidance to prevent osteoporosis in these women is strongly advocated. Clinical significance The study draws special attention to the necessity to investigate black South African women for early detection of osteopenia and osteoporosis. How to cite this article Matsela L, Towobola O, Mokgokong ET. Osteoporosis in Black South African Women: Myth or Reality. J South Asian Feder Menopause Soc 2017;5(2):111-116. Source of support The authors herewith express their gratitude to both MSD (South Africa) and the South African Menopause Society for their financial donations, which enabled the DEXA evaluations of participants in this study.

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THE SINS OF THE FATHER: GENDER- BASED VIOLENCE IN POST-APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA

Commonwealth Youth and Development ◽

10.25159/1727-7140/1798 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 57-70 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lyn Snodgrass

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Black Women ◽

South African ◽

African Women ◽

Gender Based Violence ◽

Political Issues ◽

Race And Gender ◽

Gender Based ◽

And Gender ◽

South African Women

This article explores the complexities of gender-based violence in post-apartheid South Africa and interrogates the socio-political issues at the intersection of class, ‘race’ and gender, which impact South African women. Gender equality is up against a powerful enemy in societies with strong patriarchal traditions such as South Africa, where women of all ‘races’ and cultures have been oppressed, exploited and kept in positions of subservience for generations. In South Africa, where sexism and racism intersect, black women as a group have suffered the major brunt of this discrimination and are at the receiving end of extreme violence. South Africa’s gender-based violence is fuelled historically by the ideologies of apartheid (racism) and patriarchy (sexism), which are symbiotically premised on systemic humiliation that devalues and debases whole groups of people and renders them inferior. It is further argued that the current neo-patriarchal backlash in South Africa foments and sustains the subjugation of women and casts them as both victims and perpetuators of pervasive patriarchal values.

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ISH NIA PS 03-08 THE ROLE OF BODY FAT AND FAT DISTRIBUTION IN HYPERTENSION RISK IN URBAN BLACK SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN

Journal of Hypertension ◽

10.1097/01.hjh.0000500664.40180.7b ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 34 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. e283

Author(s):

Cindy George ◽

Julia Goedecke ◽

Nigel Crowther ◽

Nicole Jaff ◽

Andre Kengne ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South African ◽

Body Fat ◽

Fat Distribution ◽

African Women ◽

Black South African ◽

Hypertension Risk ◽

South African Women

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5,10 methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism in black South African women with pre-eclampsia

BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology ◽

10.1111/j.1471-0528.1999.tb08152.x ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 106 (11) ◽

pp. 1219-1220 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

A.B. Chikosi ◽

J. Moodley ◽

R. J. Pegoraro ◽

P.A. Lanning ◽

L. Rom

Keyword(s):

South African ◽

Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase ◽

African Women ◽

Black South African ◽

South African Women

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Gendered Lending Practices: Enabling South African Women Entrepreneurs to Access Start-Up Capital

Journal of Enterprising Culture ◽

10.1142/s0218495814500137 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 22 (03) ◽

pp. 313-330 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Evelyn Derera ◽

Pepukayi Chitakunye ◽

Charles O'Neill ◽

Amandeep Tarkhar-Lail

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

South African ◽

Women Entrepreneurs ◽

Financial Institution ◽

African Women ◽

Future Research ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Start Up ◽

South African Women ◽

Depth Interviews

This study explores gendered lending and marketing practices of start-up capital to women entrepreneurs in South Africa. A multi-method research design, comprising of 6 in-depth interviews with experts, and a survey of 50 women entrepreneurs was adopted using convenience and snowball sampling techniques, respectively. The findings revealed that women entrepreneurs are experiencing gendered discriminatory practices embedded in lending practices used by financial institutions, thereby discouraging them to venture into non-traditional industries. Whilst financial providers may know their products well, many emerging women entrepreneurs in South Africa may find it difficult and costly to obtain information on the thousands of financial products available. Hence, women entrepreneurs resort to taking greater risks than necessary in order to get their businesses off the ground. Educating women on financial matters is extremely important if South Africa is to benefit fully from the untapped entrepreneurial talent that women possess. The study adds voice to the discriminatory lending practices faced by women entrepreneurs in developing countries. Future research could explore the feasibility of establishing a financial institution which caters specifically for the needs of women.

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Health system experiences of breast cancer survivors in urban South Africa

Women s Health ◽

10.1177/1745506520949419 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 ◽

pp. 174550652094941

Author(s):

Madeleine Lambert ◽

Emily Mendenhall ◽

Andrew Wooyoung Kim ◽

Herbert Cubasch ◽

Maureen Joffe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

South Africa ◽

Black Women ◽

Health System ◽

South African ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Radiation Treatment ◽

African Women ◽

Total Mastectomy ◽

South African Women

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer globally and among South African women. Women from socioeconomically disadvantaged South African communities more often present later and receive total mastectomy compared to those from more affluent communities who have more breast conserving surgery (which is less invasive but requires mandatory radiation treatment post-operatively). Standard chemotherapy and total mastectomy treatments are known to cause traumatizing side effects and emotional suffering among South African women; moreover, many women face limited communication with physicians and psychological support. Objective: This article investigates the experiences of women seeking breast cancer treatment at the largest public hospital in South Africa. Methods We interviewed 50 Black women enrolled in the South African Breast Cancer Study to learn more about their health system experiences with detection, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care for breast cancer. Each interview was between 2–3 hours, addressing perceptions, experiences, and concerns associated with breast cancer and comorbidities such as HIV and hypertension. Results: We found most women feared diagnosis, in part, because of the experience of chemotherapy and physical mutilation related to mastectomy. The importance of social support from family, religion, and clinical staff was fundamental for women coping with their condition and adhering to treatment and medication. Conclusions: These findings exemplify how interventions might promote early detection of breast cancer and better adherence to treatment. Addressing community perceptions of breast cancer, patient needs and desires for treatment, structural barriers to intensive therapies, and the burden of invasive treatments are imperative next steps for delivering better breast cancer care in Soweto and other resource-constrained settings.

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