Pretoria: Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga has called for a shift from symbolic commitments to measurable action on women's empowerment, warning that South Africa's progress on gender equality is being undermined by unemployment, violence, and weak implementation of laws and policies. According to South African Government News Agency, speaking at a National Press Club and stakeholder engagement at the UNISA School of Business and Leadership, Chikunga emphasized that the country had made significant gains since the 1956 Women's March, yet the economic and social realities facing women indicate much work remains. This engagement formed a part of Women's Month 2026 celebrations, marking 70 years since about 20,000 women marched to the Union Buildings on August 9, 1956. Chikunga highlighted the continued relevance of the demands contained in the 1954 Women's Charter, especially concerning equal pay, property ownership, childcare, economic opportunity, and protection from violence. She stressed that the Women's Charter is a foundational mandate for her department, not just a historical document. The government is reportedly working on several initiatives to translate these historic demands into practical programs. These initiatives include developing a national care economy strategy, implementing gender-responsive budgeting through the Women's Economic Assembly, and advancing the work of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. There are also regulations following the signing of the Public Procurement Act and progress towards a cooperative financial institution owned and governed by women. Chikunga pointed out that procurement reforms could legally require that 40% of government procurement go to women-owned businesses, moving from being a mere presidential target to actionable policy. Despite these efforts, she acknowledged that women face severe economic inequality, citing Statistics South Africa figures showing women's unemployment a t 36.4% in the first quarter of 2026, compared to 29.6% for men, with black African women's unemployment even higher at 40.5%. Women's median monthly earnings stand at 82% of men's earnings, according to figures Chikunga cited. She highlighted that the weak implementation of laws could render them ineffective if government departments fail to monitor compliance. Chikunga also underscored violence against women as a critical issue, citing a national femicide study by the South African Medical Research Council, which found that three women are killed by an intimate partner every day. The Minister urged journalists to scrutinize government programs beyond announcements, encouraging the media to "follow the money" and report on the actual delivery of government commitments. She proposed establishing a standing partnership between her department, the National Press Club, the UNISA School of Business and Leadership, and research institutions to meet quarterly, examine data, and assess whether commitments made dur ing Women's Month are being implemented. Chikunga called for more resources for her department, noting that its mandate covering women, young people, and persons with disabilities is not matched by its budget. She unveiled the 'Charter Compact: Seventy Years, Five Promises', a long-term approach aimed at turning the theme 'Empowered Women Empower Nations' into a measurable movement beyond the 2026 commemorations. The five promises focus on ownership, earnings, care, safety, and power, with progress measured through indicators such as land and property ownership by women, the gender earnings gap, recognition and payment of care work, the number of women killed, and women's representation in decision-making institutions.