Changes in the development status of women in South Africa from 1996 to 2001: for the better or for the worse?

The adoption of the 1996 Constitution mainstreamed women's issues in South Africa, but, despite the commendable progress in this sphere over the past ten years, success is only discernible if it translates into the betterment of women's lives. This paper aims to ascertain whether the development status of women improved or worsened between 1996 and 2001 by employing a gender-adjusted human development index (HDI). To offset the limitations of an aggregate measure, while compensating for the potentially distorting effects of HIV/AIDS on an aggregate human development indicator, a framework of supporting measures of well-being is also analysed to augment and validate the findings of the gender-specific HDI. The study finds that between 1996 and 2001 the development status of women in South Africa regressed, in both absolute and (especially) relative terms.