Demographics

A total of 299 women, representing nine major industry sectors and eight of the nine provincial regions in South Africa responded, with 32 percent of the respondents from the Western Cape and 61 percent from Gauteng. These two regions are the economical strongholds of South Africa. Respondents are from across the racial spectrum, with 6 percent Asian, 6 percent Black, 5 percent Coloured and 82 percent White, while 1 percent elected the Other-category. The 17 percent non-white vs. 82 percent White respondents is a fair reflection of the racial imbalance existing in skilled jobs in SA.

Woman of all ages took part in the study, with 1 percent being under 20 years of age and 1 percent being older than 45 years. 42 percent of the respondents are between 20 and 30 years of age and 45 percent between 30 and 45 years. Of concern is the sharp drop in numbers in the over-45 category.

Forty-one percent of the respondents are single, 44 percent married, 12 percent divorced and 3 percent elected the Other-category. Of the respondents, 37 percent are taking care of children, while 10 percent care for disabled or elderly relatives.