The Democracy Development Program hosted International Women’s Day Women’s Forum at eLangeni hotel, Durban.
#Accelerate Action
The purpose of the women’s Forum 2025 aimed at accelerating action towards gender equality by addressing key issues such as climate justice, local governance, education, employment, and legal rights for women and girls. This high-level event was attended by Members of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature, councillors, esteemed women in the NGOs space and women leading in various communities.
The session was facilitated by DDP Partner liaison and stakeholder engagement – Ms Mbalenhle Mkhize in collaboration with the KZN legislature Hon. Celiwe Qhamkile Madlompha who serves as the Chairperson of the Multiparty Women’s caucus.
The program was commenced with a powerful prayer rendered by Dr Xolisile Mhlongo, followed by Dr Paul Kariuki, the Executive Director of DDP. He asserted that the nature of the work done by the organisation is to ensure that every voice is heard, this is why DDP brought women MPs, women in Media, governance and women serving in various sectors of society. This is to ensure voices of women are heard in all corners. He emphasised that DDP is committed to initiatives of this nature, to ensure that the gap of inequality is closed, not just for International Women’s Day – but everyday there is a need to see women making progress in whichever spaces they are in.
The Chairperson of the Multiparty Women’s Caucus Hon. CQ Madlopha shared opening remarks for this august event, she commended the organisation for such initiatives, she further committed that as the women’s caucus, their role expands more than the confines of government or parliament. But to ensure that each and every woman in the world is liberated in all facets. She also emphasized the importance of women working together to drive initiatives and achieve targeted objectives.
The program was also graced the by Dr Devi Rajab who serves as the Chairperson of the DDP Board. She delivered a phenomenal message of support. She cautioned women to not only see themselves as individuals or small communities, but to find meaning in the shift in geo-politics and the impact global politics has on the advancement of women. She commended the KZN legislature and DDP for hosting such a critical and important program particularly looking into the various thematic challenges facing women.
The keynote speaker for this esteemed event was the speaker of the KZN legislature Hon. Nontobeko Nothemba Boyce who is a seasoned gender activist. The Speaker delivered a phenomenal address cross-cutting on issues affecting the girl child, young women, women in rural communities, in townships, in corporate, politics, NGOs and women in their women’s communities. She debunked the fallacy that women issues can only be solved by women. She emphasized the importance of intergenerational, intersectional, intersex dialogues as means of eradicating patriarchy in society. She stressed the need for women to be politically astute, knowledgeable and qualified. She highlighted that the current political landscape is still rooted in patriarchy, therefore women must equip themselves and refuse to be sidelined by the system. She extended her gratitude to DDP and her team for organizing such an astounding event and committed to more programs to safeguard the rights of women.
This program also constituted of panel discussions, session one focused on Climate Justice and Gender Equality. The panel was asked to delineate how climate change disproportionately impacts women and girls, and what solutions employed. This was a very critical discussion as the province was undergoing extreme weather changes resulting in uncontrollable floods. The discussion was led by Dr Gabi Mkhize and Ms Pabollo Moerane from UKZN, Dr Nombuso Zuma who is a medical practitioner and Ms Shanice Firmin from Climate Reality Africa.
The second session was on Promoting Gender Equality in Local Governance. Panel Discussant had to delve into the role of local governance in fostering gender equality and dismantling systemic barriers. This was an important conversation because currently in the provinces, there is cry that councillors who are women do not receive adequate support from communities and the municipalities, in some instances some tend to abscond their work and communities are left destitute. This discussion sought to elucidate the importance of gender equality programs, women empowerment activities so that the communities and their leadership benefits and get united in the fight against gender inequality.
The third session was on Empowering Women through Education and Employment, the panel discussants had present on the various ways which can be used to ensure equal access to education and opportunities for women and girls in a rapidly changing world.
This discussion was also critical because statistics and research give evidence that education has aided the liberation of women in many ways. Many women have been able to change the narrative of their lives by enrolling for higher education. This has also resulted in many women being employed in strategic positions in various sectors of employment. However, there still a fundamental gap in wage pays and accessibility of such programs.
The last session focused on Advancing Women’s and Girls’ Rights . The Panel discussants were tasked with exploring critical areas for advancing women’s rights in South Africa, with a focus on legal frameworks, protection, and services. This referred to the keynote address delivered by Hon. Boyce, the need to advocate for young girls so that when they are women, they would be already empowered. This discussion also investigated the existing legal framework on how it is a enhances and catalyses the ground for the rights of women and young girls.
The event ended with a powerful call to action and commitment to advance the rights of women in all corners of society. The legislature committed to continue advocating for gender representation and equality in governance, society and other spheres of government. DDP committed to reach out to all women, to create enabling environment for such conversations, to support initiatives that advance the empowerment of women and to prioritise the struggle of women and girls globally.
DDP and the KZN legislature would like to extend their unwavering gratitude to all the speakers and attendees of this important program. The event was live streamed and still available on the social media pages.
Watch the full event here
