One Thousand African Women Leaders Unite for Change in South Africa
Participants focused on creating solutions for economic empowerment, political representation, and social equity while building networks across the continent.
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — The African Women in Dialogue (AfWID) forum brought together 1,000 women from 55 African countries to address continental challenges and commemorate the Beijing Declaration's 30th anniversary during a five-day conference, writes Happy Mzembe.
The gathering, themed "Women's Voice and Power as Change Agents," aimed to create an independent platform for African women to define their agenda outside traditional international forums.
"Most of the time, African women are invited into spaces organised by others—whether it's Davos, the United Nations, or the African Union," said AfWID founder Zanele Mbeke.
She explained the forum's inception came after attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, where she observed global leaders tackling issues without scripted constraints.
Riah Phiyega, CEO of the Women's Development Business Trust, emphasised the conference's focus on "recognising and harnessing the unique strengths, perspectives, and contributions of women to drive positive change in society."
Malawian delegate and steering committee member Emma Kaliya highlighted ongoing challenges across the continent.
"While there is some progress, the reality is stark: we have not done enough. Across the continent, war persists, access to basic needs remains a dream for many, and the girl child continues to be violated," she said.
"The AFWID dialogue is not just a conference. It is where women can voice their struggles, share their experiences, and shape solutions that will lead to a more equitable and inclusive future for all.”
South Sudanese visual artist and activist Abul Oyay Deng stressed the importance of collective action.
"It is through dialogue that the world is going to transform. There is a need for collective efforts to bring change, to end domestic violence," she said, adding that "women are leaders; they don't need to beg to be leaders; they need to be empowered."
Participants focused on creating solutions for economic empowerment, political representation, and social equity while building networks across the continent.
The forum emphasised the need for African women to shape their solutions rather than rely solely on external frameworks.
The conference, held January 27-31, 2025, served as both a commemoration of the Beijing Declaration—adopted by 189 countries—and a platform for developing strategies to address persistent challenges facing African women.