Equality of Opportunity in Education and Training - Skills Development Act - South Africa

Skills Development Act, 1998

This Act established the National Skills Authority, Sector Education and Training Authorities, and other bodies in the Department of Labour to promote development and training. The Act is not generally targeted at women although one of the stated purposes of the Act (see paragraph 2(1)(e).) is "to improve the employment prospects of persons previously disadvantaged by unfair discrimination and to redress those disadvantages through training and education".

Section 23(2)(d) of the Act applies to employment services which assist prescribed categories of persons:

• to enter special education and training programmes;
• to find employment;
• to start income-generating projects; and,
• to participate in special employment programmes.

The prescribed categories are, inter alia, women, including rural women.