By Ncomile Joy Ruwodo
Head, Gender Equality Unit | Shared Value Africa

August is Women’s Month in South Africa – a time to honour courageous legacies and a call to action to break cycles of inequality. This year’s theme, “Building Resilient Economies for All,” couldn’t be more timely or urgent. Because if economies are to thrive sustainably and equitably, the voices, safety, and talents of women must be elevated and protected – especially within our workplaces.

Yet the reality remains stark and unsettling: one in three women face unwanted sexual advances at work. Globally, one in five workers experience violence or harassment on the job. In South Africa, 26% of reported sexual harassment incidents happen in workplaces, and a quarter of victims say their abuser was a boss or superior – highlighting persistent power imbalances that silence and harm.

Even more concerning, fewer than 40% of women who experience harassment report it, largely out of fear of retaliation or disbelief. And the protections simply don’t exist at scale: 94% of companies lack adequate gender-based violence (GBV) policies and 78% don’t offer GBV awareness training.

The human and economic toll is profound – absenteeism, reduced productivity, damaged reputations, and the lost potential of millions of women forced to navigate unsafe environments every day. For South Africa to build resilient, inclusive economies, we must dismantle these barriers and transform workplace culture alongside social norms.

At Shared Value Africa’s Gender Equality Unit, we are not just observing these realities – we are driving change. Through collaboration with global partners, we have developed practical, game-changing tools and programs that empower private and public sector actors to build safe, respectful workplaces.

One such powerful initiative is our “Building a Respectful Workplace Culture” training – a highly interactive two-hour session tailored to equip teams with the knowledge and confidence to recognize, prevent, and address workplace violence and harassment. The session goes beyond policy to challenge unconscious biases and power dynamics, fostering a culture where dignity and safety are non-negotiable.

We are proud to be launching a special Women’s Month training package this August—a 2-hour online session titled “Building a Respectful Workplace Culture”. It’s designed to move organisations from awareness to action, one courageous conversation at a time. Our work is rooted in years of advocacy and research, developed to help African companies diagnose and mitigate gender-related risks at work.

Making the Business Case Real

Still, some leaders ask: “What’s the ROI of tackling harassment head-on?” Our answer: Everything.

A psychologically safe workplace isn’t just morally right – it’s good business. Studies link inclusive cultures to higher innovation, lower turnover, and stronger reputational capital. Meanwhile, GBV-related productivity losses cost the South African economy an estimated R36 billion a year.

We believe lasting change happens when we honour the complexity of women’s lives within and outside work, nurture leadership across gender lines, and challenge systemic power structures. That’s why our approach is holistic — combining tailored consulting, policy advocacy, awareness campaigns like the #ITSNOTOK movement, and capacity building that enables organizations to embed gender equality authentically and sustainably.

Recognition, Relevance, and Results

We’re honoured that the GEU was again named a finalist in the 2025 Nedbank Top Empowerment Awards in the category of Top Empowered Company: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Workplace. This honour affirms our commitment and fuels our drive to deepen impact.

We cannot do this work in silos. We need champions inside businesses who are ready to step forward and say: Enough. Let’s lead the change.

Call to Action: Join the Movement

This Women’s Month, don’t just update your logo or run a pink campaign.

Invest in your people, protect your ethical standing, and set the foundation for long-term success.

Book our 2-hour online training session for your organisation. For a nominal investment of R50,000, you can equip your team to build a culture where every employee can thrive free from fear.

We have limited slots available for August and September. Don’t miss your chance to make a meaningful difference to your workplace culture.

Click here to BOOK YOUR SESSION
Or email us directly at

And Finally… A Moment of Reflection

On National Women’s Day, we will honour the march of 1956. But we must also acknowledge a more recent march—one happening in corridors, boardrooms, and breakout rooms across the continent. The women who are still speaking up. The men who are finally listening. And the leaders—of all genders—who are refusing to let fear win.

Let this be the month we make noise not for the sake of it—but because silence is no longer an option.

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#SharedValueAfrica #WomensMonth #GenderEquality #RespectfulWorkplaces #ItsNotOk #BuildingResilientEconomies #WorkplaceSafety #LeadershipForChange