“The participation of African women in the formal economy is underleveraged and undervalued,” she said.

The Deputy Minister expressed concern on the low number of women in senior management positions.

According to the latest World Bank Enterprise Survey, only one in 26 salaried African women are employed in a senior management position, compared with one in every six men.

“Several African countries have risen to the … challenge and have introduced laws that implement quota systems to increase the representation of women in legislatures and government.

“However, in countries … where no such intervention has been done, the disparity is blinding,” Deputy Minister Chohan said.

She said to capitalise on Africa’s predicted growth in the coming years, African leaders are faced with the challenge of easing women’s passage into economic participation.

“As we move to realise our vision for the Africa we want, we need to understand that similar to the global world, there is a continental reality. The world has become a small place, and so has Africa,” the Deputy Minister said.

She said to maximise growth opportunities in Africa, both men and women in Africa need to be able to reach their full potential.

CoRMSA Executive Director Sicel’mpilo Shange-Buthane said in every society, women play a crucial role and that it is imperative for society to protect them.

“Women face different challenges, they struggle to survive,” she said.

CoRMSA comprises a number of member organisations, including legal practitioners, research units, and refugee and migrant communities. Its main objectives are the promotion and protection of the rights of asylum seekers, refugees and international migrants.