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Gender Equality

latest news & developments
Sweden's ambassador to South Africa Anna Karin Eneström.

Sweden, SA bring youth voices into climate, health policy talks

The Embassy of Sweden and UKZN brought together youth, diplomats, and policymakers to address the critical intersection of climate change, gender equality, and reproductive…

Women need more than a seat at the table

Beyond mere representation, the Standard Bank Top Women Conference in Sandton highlighted why women in business need real decision-making power, active sponsorship, and economic…

As Ted Lasso Takes on Women's Football, Women in Sport Are Defining Success on Their Own Terms

As popular culture mirrors the rise of women's football, research highlights the urgent need for financial security and systemic support for female athletes beyond the pitch.

'Invest in women to unlock billions in the economy'

Economic leaders and policymakers at the Standard Bank Top Women conference urged Africa to invest in women, highlighting that closing gender gaps could unlock hundreds of…

Woman power: The women leading this race are not from the capitals that have always supplied the UN's leadership, they are from the Global South and one of them, Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, comes from a Caribbean nation. Photo: UN Photo / Eskinder Debebe

The world is ready for a woman-led UN

As the United Nations edges closer to electing its first female Secretary-General, Africa's failure to nominate qualified women from its own ranks highlights a missed opportunity…

SARB launches new R2 coins honouring Charlotte Maxeke and 1956 Women’s March

The South African Reserve Bank has launched two new commemorative R2 circulation coins celebrating struggle icon Charlotte Maxeke and the historic 1956 Women’s March.

If we want to end gender-based violence, we have to uproot gender inequality

South Africa continues to react to gender-based violence downstream, but ending femicide requires confronting its true root cause: entrenched gender inequality in our homes,…

Neglect: Women tend to put the immediate needs of their family first, neglecting their own future regarding their work and old age. Photo: Eric Miller/World Bank

The Invisible Workload: How Women’s Many Roles Impact Career Advancement and How Technology Can Help

Beyond workplace bias, the invisible mental and logistical load of caregiving holds women back from senior leadership and entrepreneurial growth. Here is how technology and…

It is imperative that we break the silence and change the narrative of black women who enter academic spaces

The inclusion paradox: Why the representation of women in academia is not enough

Achieving gender equality in academia requires far more than meeting quotas. From the motherhood penalty to the 'inclusion tax', structural barriers continue to push talented…

70 years after the Women’s March, the baton is still being passed

Decades after the historic 1956 Women's March, prominent South African women leaders from across generations gathered to reflect on the ongoing journey from political protest to…

Growing women’s football creates stronger communities

When South African women’s football makes headlines, it is often because players have achieved extraordinary feats against the odds. This article argues that while resilience is…

When women lead together, everyone moves forward

This article challenges women leaders to move beyond merely securing a seat at the table and instead focus on how they use their influence to foster collaboration, amplify…

The crowd at the Union Buildings on August 9 1956. About 20 000 women marched to Pretoria to protest against passes for black women.

Cancel Women’s Day: South Africa’s annual insult to women

South Africa celebrates Women's Day, but for many, the reality is far from the promise of a life free from violence and discrimination. This article critically examines the gap…

Portraits of Power celebrates women who changed the course of history

The 'Portraits of Power' exhibition has officially opened at the historic Union Buildings in Pretoria, honouring women who have made significant contributions globally. Hosted by…

The crowd at the Union Buildings on August 9 1956. About 20 000 women marched to Pretoria to protest against passes for black women.

The unfinished march: Why women's empowerment remains South Africa's greatest infrastructure challenge

The 1956 Women's March against apartheid pass laws was a pivotal moment for South African women. Decades later, the fight for true gender equality and economic inclusion remains…