1 South Africa Gender Issues and the Production of Labour Statistics Yandiswa Mpetsheni South Africa

2 Contents Background Gender gaps in labour statistics Addressing gender gaps Challenges

3 South Africa A gender unit established in 1999 Time use survey conducted Publication on women and men in South Africa done Collaborated with ILO a publication on women and men in the informal economy (2002) Analysis of all household based surveys by sex Background to gender statistics

4 South Africa Gender unit was dissolved and resulted in the following: – No advocacy for gender issues in labour stats –Analysis done by sex but does not cover issues relating to understanding gender differences. Gender gaps in labour stats

5 South Africa Work done in combination with domestic chores Looking after children and the elderly/sick Work carried out intermittently over the year Total hours worked including domestic chores Gender gaps in labour stats ctd

6 South Africa Need to conduct a time use survey on regular basis TUS to be a supplement of the LFS – to be driven by user demand Need to do more gender based analysis and not analysis of key indicators by sex Need to revive the gender unit Addressing gender gaps

7 South Africa LFS not best vehicle for measurement of gender issues Stats SA priorities in view of limited resources – cannot fund a dedicated survey Educating policy makers on the importance of funding a gender focused survey eg.TUS Challenges

8 South Africa Thank You Website: