President Jacob Zuma said that women's empowerment was not merely a numbers game, the SABC reported on Saturday.

Zuma was addressing the Progressive Women's Movement dinner in Sandton on Friday.

The President warned against the under representation of women.

"It has been consistently demonstrated globally that the under representation of women in politics and decision making positions has an adverse effect on national development as a whole," he said.

Zuma explained his vision for South Africa's women, the report said.

"We must work together to ensure that women lead their lives free of fear, degradation and brutalisation."

The newly-formed Ministry for Women, Children and People with Disabilities was in the process of preparing the Equality Bill.

This will provide for mandatory 50% representation for women in national, provincial and local legislatures.