A writer in The Hindu newspaper wishes India was more like South Africa on gender equality, but tarnishes the compliment by referring to the SA economy as “tottering”.

Consider the following facts. South Africa which abolished apartheid in 1994 currently has 173 of 400 or 43 per cent women MPs. India in its lower house has just 56 and in session after session the Women’s Reservation Bill fails to get passed.

(South Africa) can also boast that nine of its 27 cabinet ministers and eight of its 14 deputy ministers are women. Both the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairman of the National Council of Provinces are women. South Africa is one of only three African countries to have women presiding officers in Parliament.

Even as the South African economy is tottering, its push for gender equity is indeed worth noting. Women constitute 52 per cent of the population, 30 per cent of the central cabinet and 37 .6 per cent of management and professional jobs.