Empowering women in focus at leadership summit

Political leaders, business executives, academics and civil society representatives from across Africa converged in KuGompo City on Thursday for the opening of the Pan-African Transformational Leadership Summit. The three-day summit, hosted at the East London International Convention Centre, runs until Saturday and has drawn participants from several African countries under the theme,“Decade of Empowerment and 70 Years of Resilience: Forging New Pathways for Africa’s Sustainable Development.” The summit also serves as the Provincial Women’s Conference and a platform for SA to report back following its participation in the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) where countries assess progress made in advancing gender equality. Minister in the presidency for women, youth and people with disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, hailed the women of 1956 who fought for the rights of women.

“Seven decades ago, women were mistreated and not taken seriously,” Chikunga said. “We must not forget those heroines for what they did for us. “The young women of today are succeeding academically and professionally, because of the fights those women in 1956 fought.” Eastern Cape social development MEC Bukiwe Fanta said the conference was an opportunity to reflect on the country’s achievements, identify persistent challenges and strengthen strategies to ensure that no woman or girl was left behind.

The young women of today are succeeding academically and professionally, because of the fights those women in 1956 fought. “The Commission on the Status of Women gives governments, civil society, women’s organisations and activists from across the world an opportunity to shape the global agenda on gender equality and women’s empowerment.” She said provinces were expected to report back to communities after the CSW, making the Eastern Cape gathering particularly significant as it coincided with the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March. Fanta said despite progress made over the years, gender-based violence (GBV) remained one of SA’s greatest challenges.