DDP Women in Leadership and Democracy Conference 2026 Champions Transformative Representation of Women
The DDP Women in Leadership and Democracy Conference 2026 brought together women leaders, activists, policymakers, civil society representatives and community change-makers at the Elangeni Hotel, Durban to engage in critical discussions on advancing women's representation in local government. The conference was held under the theme,"Politics of Gender Representation: Enhancing Transformative Representation of Women in Local Government.
The event formed part of the commemoration of 70 years since the historic 1956 Women's March to the Union Buildings, providing an opportunity to reflect on both the progress achieved and the challenges that remain in securing meaningful participation of women in leadership and governance. Discussions highlighted the need to move beyond numerical representation towards ensuring that women have genuine influence and decision-making power within political and governance structures.
Participants heard contributions from a range of speakers, including representatives from local government, academia, civil society and advocacy organisations. Conversations focused on structural barriers that continue to limit women's participation in politics, including institutional gatekeeping, unequal access to resources, gender stereotypes and political violence. The programme also explored practical strategies to strengthen women's leadership and representation ahead of future local government elections.
The Democracy Development Program (DDP) extended its sincere gratitude to its partner and funder, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), for its ongoing support in promoting democratic participation and gender equality. Appreciation was also expressed to sponsors including Icebolethu Foundation, Morgan's Photography, Spoil Yourself Prestige, Sohbaro, and Blissful Hair & Beauty Salon, whose contributions helped make the conference a success.
As the conference concluded, participants reaffirmed a collective commitment to amplifying women's voices, strengthening democratic participation, and building more inclusive and representative local governance structures. The event served as a powerful reminder that the pursuit of gender equality remains central to South Africa's democratic future.
You can watch the full conference here> https://www.youtube.com/live/bGw_7vHSw_U?si=r_vnpB068VuMCwy6
