The Fundza Literacy Trust annual survey revealed 81% of its South African female mobisite users who are not studying, either in high school or higher education institutions, are unemployed; while 7.7% had given up job hunting.
Fundza is a popular literacy mobisite, with over 4.1 million users, that aims to increase young women’s access to user-generated and zero-rated reading materials in order to amplify reading culture in the country.
Organisers of the mobisite conducted an annual survey for Women’s Day to extrapolate the role of digital platforms in advancing literacy and educational equity among women in the country, including highlighting the economic challenges they face, especially unemployment peaking.
In terms of income, the survey underlined that 22.89% of users’ main home cash flow were primarily dependent on their mothers, doubling up the number of women participating in the economy in 2022, which was 11.6%. Additionally, 29.11% said they were heavily dependent on social grants to meet their basic needs.
Highlighting a growing trend of underemployment, the survey showed a wide difference in the income bracket, as nearly 60% users earned less than R5 000, unlike the approximate 4% who enjoyed a salary of more than R20 000.
Moreover, almost 12% respondents said they earned between R5 000 to R10 000. Less than 10% earned between R10 000 to R15 000, and 5% users fell between the R15 000 to R20 000 income bracket, which is quite alarming, suggesting that many users account as underpaid workers.
Fundza executive director, Nadeema Musthan, explained these statistics are of extreme concern as women commonly continue to bear the plight of poverty and unemployment, and such issues, cannot only be brought into light during Women’s Month.
“Continued awareness of the struggles and difficulties facing women and girls in South Africa cannot rely on publicity from biannual holidays. We must actively listen to and value the unique experiences of women and girls, making such recognition a regular practice that enriches our collective understanding. In a world in which women and girls are actively under-represented, silenced and devalued, it is incumbent on us to provide platforms and avenues that amplify and actively include their voices,” said Musthan.
On a positive note, the survey relayed a growing reading culture, as most users showed fairly good numbers in book ownerships. The 14 to 17 age group, 33.10% owned more than 50 books, while the 18 to 20 age group accounted for 21.62%.
Young people between 21 to 24 years old scooped 25.93% of holding more than fifty books, and above 25 year olds, grabbed 27.16%.
While technology is throbbing in society, literature remained the soul of an oversized imagination, thus Fundza married the two, to create the mobisite, said Musthan.
“This practice enriches the shared pool of literature and provides our female readers with insights into the diverse experiences of other women navigating the complexities of life in South Africa. This practice allows for authentic expression and full participation in how their lives are represented,” said Musthan.
The Star