The Progressive Women’s Movement of South Africa, joined by organisations such as the provincial African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL), faith-based organisations and unions, marched against gender inequality on Thursday.

The provincial march was led by Social Development MEC and ANCWL convener Bukiwe Fanta who spoke of gender-based violence challenges and poverty in the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) metro, where she says leadership positions are given to men.

This follows the appointment of the mayoral committee under the multiparty, Democratic Alliance- (DA-) led coalition which she says has one female councillor and 13 male councillors. Fanta wants new Mayor Retief Odendaal to explain why there are not more women in the council.

“As the ANCWL in the Eastern Cape, led by the Progressive Women’s Movement of South Africa we are shocked, embarrassed and disappointed by the recent appointment of the Mayoral Committee of the Nelson Mandela metro where the majority of voters were women but the Mayoral Committee has reversed all our gains as women. It is shocking to have just one woman in the Mayoral Committee… in this day and age, after 25 years of our struggle. We are appalled as women in the country, that in 2022 we still have such arrangements, and we will not allow such a conduct,” she said.

She added that it was unconstitutional and “inhumane” that women were excluded from leadership positions.

“We are here to make that mark to say women, open up your eyes and see the nakedness of the DA-led government, that is marginalising you as the women of this region,” she said.