Firm steps will be taken to compel companies to put more women in top management positions, Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya, pledged on Friday.

In her budget vote speech, Mayende-Sibiya, said forecasts that it would take 40 years to achieve gender parity at executive management level painted an "unacceptable" picture.

"Irrespective of our political background, I am sure we will all agree that this situation is unacceptable."

The minister said that she would hold consultations with organised labour and private business to hasten the inclusion of more women in leadership strata with the aim of achieving a 50-50 male-female ratio.

She said that the main focus of her ministry, which was created in May last year, would be to draft a gender equity bill with the aim of speeding up gender transformation in all spheres of society.

"We will also be working within the existing frameworks such as broad-based black economic empowerment and (the) Employment Equity Act to ensure that current equity targets for women and persons with disabilities are met."

In an interview with the Mail & Guardian published on Friday, the minister said that the private sector was the worst culprit.

"It is disturbing that there are companies with more than 60 executive managers and all are men," she told the weekly.

She said that the gender equity bill would have "enforcing mechanisms" to persuade the private sector to comply with targets. Among those being mulled was to fine companies who missed the target 10% of their turnover.

The minister quoted the annual survey of the Black Women's Association, which found that South Africa would achieve 50% representation for women on company boards in 2031, while 2050 was seen as a realistic target for parity at executive management level.

In her budget vote speech, Mayenda-Sibiya also vowed to "respond to any traditional practice that is harmful to the rights and interests of women and children".

She singled out "ukuthwala" - the forced marriage of children to older men.

The minister lamented the "unhealthy" situation at the Gender Equality Commission.

Parliament's Standing Commission on Public Accounts (Scopa this week recommended that the chapter nine institution be placed under curatorship to prevent its collapse.

Scopa chairperson Themba Godi said that poor leadership and oversight had resulted in the commission receiving another disclaimer from the auditor general.

Democratic Alliance Member of Parliament Denise Robinson responded to Mayende-Sibiya's speech by saying that Parliament and government should take responsibility for letting the state of affairs at the commission degenerate.