Gendered wage gap : an analysis of gender inequalities in the workplace through the lived experiences of black women teachers

Thubelihle Princess  Sithole

Since the end of apartheid, South Africa has made significant strides toward gender and racial equality. However, within the education sector, Black women continue to face persistent barriers that limit their advancement into leadership and often result in unequal pay compared to their male counterparts. Despite women's growing presence and qualifications, their experiences reveal that the teaching profession remains deeply shaped by patriarchal and racial hierarchies that undervalue women’s work. This underrepresentation in decision-making roles restricts their economic mobility and reinforces the perception that leadership is inherently male. This study explores the lived experiences of Black women teachers in Gauteng to understand how they make sense of gendered wage inequality within their profession. Drawing on Marxist feminist and Black feminist theories, the research argues that patriarchy and capitalism work together to maintain unequal power relations that disadvantage Black women in both symbolic and material ways. These inequalities often manifest through institutional cultures that normalise the devaluation of feminised work, restrict access to promotions, and expect women to balance paid labour with domestic and community care responsibilities. A qualitative, feminist research design was adopted, using semi-structured interviews with ten Black women teachers across primary and secondary schools in Gauteng. Through thematic analysis, the study captured the complexity of their experiences, from feelings of invisibility and exclusion to acts of resistance and resilience. The research contributes to ongoing debates on gender inequality by highlighting how Black women navigate, challenge, and redefine their professional identities within a system that continues to marginalise them.

Gendered wage gap : an analysis of gender inequalities in the workplace through the lived experiences of black women teachers

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