Black women continued to be marginalised despite South Africa's Constitution being among the most progressive in the world, President Jacob Zuma said on Monday.
In a message celebrating Commonwealth Day, Zuma said although many women had been empowered through the Constitution, many others still lived a life of poverty.
"The achievement of true empowerment for women across all race and class barriers, and most particularly for black women, remains a national priority and lies at the very centre of South African policy formulation," said Zuma.
There had been an increased presence of women in both the public and private sectors since 1994, but there was room for improvement.
"While our Constitution is regarded as one of the most progressive in the world, our challenge is to realise the rights it envisages," said Zuma.
"We know that the majority of women continue to face marginalisation and discrimination in their homes, workplaces and communities."
