#WomenUnlocked: 'Superwoman' Olwethu Leshabane on economic emancipation of women

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After hearing Olwethu Leshabane speak, you will have yourself thinking back to the Sarah Jessica Parker film, 'How Does She Do It All'. Olwethu wears many hats; mom, wife, entrepreneur, digital strategist, public speaker, social media influencer, and so much more!

It seems there is no stopping this mama. Her latest venture and conversation starter is the reason why Stacey and JSbu wanted to profile her for the this Women's Month's theme, #WomenUnlocked. Olwethu launched her own Women's Month campaign this year: 'Womenomics'. What is this you may ask? Womenomics, according to Olwethu, is a campaign and platform to accelerate female participation in the economy of South Africa. The gender pay gap debate in South Africa and the world has been ongoing. In 2020, women are still significantly paid much less for the same job as their male counterparts, and Olwethu believes that if we are serious about empowering women in this country then, more than saying so is going to do it.

Very often, Women's Month is filled with promises from government and big co-operations, but little action is taken. Olwethu believes that the time for giving women roses, cards, and making them your #WomanCrushWednesday on social media is over.

She has set out a challenge to corporate South Africa to take an online test that determines a company’s level of inclusivity towards women. After the test is taken, she encourages the powers that be to publicly share those scorecards and plans to improve where necessary.
26 Aug 2020 English South Africa Society & Culture · Personal Journals

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