South Africa’s Minister of Women Susan Shabangu on the significance of the 61st anniversary of Women’s Day, and the role men can play in ending gender violence in South Africa and creating an equal society.
IT’S A CHANCE MEETING IN JUNE WITH SUSAN Shabangu, South Africa’s Minister of Women in the Presidency, at the CNBC Africa studios in the Johan-nesburg Stock Exchange, when Shabangu sits down for a brief interview to share her views ahead of the SheEO SleepOut on August 8.
Held on the eve of Women’s Day (commemorating the 1956 Women’s March to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest pass laws), at the SheEO Sleep Out, female CEOs and business leaders spend a night sleeping outdoors at the Union Buildings, in aid of homeless and vulnerable communities and to raise funds for Door of Hope, an NGO that works to care for abandoned babies.
Excerpts from the interview:
What is the significance of Women’s Month this year?
We have agreed with the SheEOs to come on board and participate during August. It also shows women are continuing with their struggle. Because it’s one aspect of their struggles fought by women in making sure children are not abandoned and that is what is clear about the SheEO Sleep Out.
The women of 1956 wrote the Women’s Charter, which talks about their values and the issue of education for children, and all those issues were part of the demands we take for-granted today.
And by that, they recognize there were gaps in the struggle and the only way to succeed was to make sure issues affecting women and children are taken on board.
Denne historien er fra August-September 2017-utgaven av Forbes Woman Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August-September 2017-utgaven av Forbes Woman Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Well-Grounded
Coco Cachalia, whose mother Amina was among the 20,000 in the Women’s March of August 1956, made a decision to stay away from politics – and succeed in business instead.
Art Becomes Her
A celebrated international fine artist, Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi overcame the struggles of apartheid, and her work is grounded in her past.
'Not Just Pro-Women But Pro-Progress'
South Africa’s Minister of Women Susan Shabangu on the significance of the 61st anniversary of Women’s Day, and the role men can play in ending gender violence in South Africa and creating an equal society.
Diversity And Inclusion Are Part Of Baker Mckenzie's DNA
According to Law360’s 2017 Glass Ceiling Report, women make up around one-third of the attorneys in private legal practice. Among the law firms surveyed, just below 23% of partners are female.
We, Men For Women
South Africa still has a long way to go for gender justice in business and in life, but with more men openly stepping forward to be a part of the discourse, FORBES WOMAN AFRICA speaks to two male entrepreneurs, a CEO and a social activist. They acknowledge diversity makes smart social and economic sense that will benefit all.
What, After All, Does Feminism Have To Do With Men?
According to the seminal African-American writer bell hooks (her name is not capitalized), feminism is for everybody.
Blood, Setbacks And Tears
Two sisters with common failures and a dream to eventually succeed.
Fighting To The End
In May, 82 more Chibok girls were released in exchange for Boko Haram prisoners. Oby Ezekwesili, a strong advocate in the campaign to bring them back, has vowed to never stop fighting.
Not Just Hard Work, But Heart Work
As incidents of gender-based violence increase in Africa, those like Nigeria’s Kemi Dasilva-Ibru, are trying to bring relief to stigmatized victims.
Going Down The Spice Route
Essie Bartels worked several odd jobs she hated before opening a company selling mouth-watering spices and sentiments to the world.