It is a difficult time for emerging markets, SA Reserve Bank governor Gill Marcus said on Wednesday.

"We are emerging from a very long period of a global recession... [and] recovery is not synchronised," she said at the International Women's Forum in Sandton, Johannesburg.

"The challenges are common, how we respond as emerging markets is different."

The forum's theme was "Africa rising".

Marcus said countries were being affected by things like depreciating currencies.

Historically South Africa had been at a disadvantage, however, today the country had a location advantage for the first time.

"One of the things not recognised is the peace dividend in the region. We need to build on that and take advantage and ensure our region [stays that way]."