The article, written by our esteemed Madame President, Nolitha Fakude, shares her thought piece in today’s Sunday Times (31 August) “Women must use the G20 summit to press their priorities“, calling on women to use the upcoming G20 Summit to press their priorities and shape the global agenda., poses the critical question of why African women should care about the G20, especially with the summit being hosted in South Africa for the first time. It connects the international economic platform to the historical significance of the Women’s March in Pretoria, emphasizing that the G20 offers a vital opportunity for women to actively shape the global agenda.
The piece outlines several key areas where the G20 summit can drive tangible change. First, it highlights the importance of economic empowerment through entrepreneurship, advocating for policies that remove financial barriers for women, such as the Affirmative Action for Women in Africa Finance Series. It also stresses the need for greater access to education, citing UNICEF data on gender disparity and calling for deliberate investment in girls’ schooling.
Furthermore, the article addresses the crucial roles of women in leadership and their heightened vulnerability to climate change. It argues that gender-diverse leadership enriches decision-making, while solutions to climate change must incorporate a gendered perspective to be effective. Finally, the author points to the pervasive issue of gender-based violence (GBV), calling for stronger policies, visible law enforcement, and a multi-sectoral approach to combat this human rights violation. The article concludes by urging a shift from mere commitments to concrete action and measurable progress at the G20 and related conferences.
This article was published: Sunday Times AUGUST 31, 2025 – Read the full article here
