The Dialogue Women's League of South Africa has called on the country's proposed Government of National Unity (GNU) to be inclusive and focus on implementing the constitution.
Women's groups have petitioned political parties about the outcome of South Africa's elections and future governance.
The group reminded political parties that women constitute a majority of the electorate and, as a result, it is mandated that they share power.
Former Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka further added: “If we are talking about inclusiveness in the seventh government, we must push for increased female representation in all political parties because women make up the majority of the electorate and the majority of those who voted for this government that you are putting in place are women.”
Gender equality
Gender experts say it is unfortunate that gender equality in parliament is worsening.
Last week, Chief Justice Raymond Zondo handed over the final party list to parliamentary secretary Zolile George.
Brenda Madumisu, an activist with gender rights organisation WISE, slammed some political parties' party lists for failing to achieve gender equality.
Parliamentary Secretary Sholire George officially stated that the gender ratio in the 7th Democratic Parliament has fallen to 43.5 percent from 45.6 percent in the previous term.
Meanwhile, Felicity Harrison, director of sustaining dialogue at the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, said although South Africa was a pioneer in the area of women's representation in parliament, the decline in women's presence in the seventh parliament was disappointing.
Video | Lamenting setbacks in gender equality:
-Additional reporting by Zareen Merrington
