Why should African women care about the G20, an international platform that annually discusses economic co-operation and addresses global issues such as financial stability and sustainable development?
Women should care because the summit is being held on the African continent for the first time, less than a year before the 70th anniversary of the Women's March on the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest the extension of apartheid laws to women.
The G20 summit takes place in November, when South Africa will also host the International Women’s Forum (IWF) Cornerstone Conference at which authoritative voices on issues essential to global leaders will catalyse and celebrate women's leadership.
Cornerstone conferences are held annually in regions critical to the ever-changing global economy and focus on providing insight to women leaders on topics impacting international progress, business, economics, ecology, enterprise and the sustainability of human endeavour.
As we celebrate this year’s Women's Month, under the theme “Building resilient economies for all”, we should work hard to ensure that the G20 summit resolutions move beyond symbolic gestures and implement concrete policies that address systemic barriers to a more equitable and just world.
Women's leadership brings diverse and rich perspectives to economic development, enhances decision-making and fosters a more inclusive and innovative world
Women should care because the G20 summit presents an extraordinary opportunity to take a seat at the table and champion a cause that influences global decision-making. It is about shaping the agenda, not simply responding to it.
Across South Africa, women are working hard to prioritise policies that promote their economic empowerment, address gender-based violence and ensure their inclusion across all the G20 working groups.
I believe the decisions taken by the G20 have the potential to meaningfully advance several critical issues that lie at the heart of women’s emancipation.
Research has shown time and again that entrepreneurship is key to economic growth. The role of entrepreneurs, especially in small, medium, and micro enterprises, should never be underestimated.
Convergence across the G20 nations is of paramount importance.
It is crucial to differentiate entrepreneurs on the basis of gender if women's entrepreneurship is to be promoted. It has come a long way in South Africa, promoted by government interventions such as the Women Empowerment Fund, Black Industrialist Programme, broad-based BEE and President Cyril Ramaphosa’s R20bn fund to empower small businesses.
Despite some gains, there are persistent barriers limiting women’s access to financial services. In some countries across our continent women continue to be less likely than men to have access to financial institutions, or even to possess a bank account.
It is for this reason that the African Development Bank Group, in collaboration with The Banking Association South Africa, launched the Affirmative Action for Women in Africa Finance Series. This aims to promote an inclusive financial ecosystem and unlock substantial financing — $5bn (about R88bn) by 2026 — for women-owned and women-led businesses.
Through collaboration with the G20, access to financial resources can enable women entrepreneurs.
Access to education means ensuring everyone has the opportunity to learn, regardless of their background or circumstances. According to Unicef, not even half the countries in the world have reached gender parity at the primary education level. The gap widens at the secondary level, with only a quarter of countries having an equal education system.
True access to education for women is a fundamental human right and a crucial factor for individual empowerment and societal development. Despite progress, there remain significant barriers, including poverty, teenage pregnancy, access to hygiene products and lack of access to resources.
It is therefore incumbent upon all of us to deliberately invest in girls' education in the quest to transform communities, countries and the entire world.
Equality in leadership means the presence of diverse individuals, including women, in positions of power across all spheres of economic participation. It is not just about numbers; it is about creating a culture where women lead, are valued and have the opportunity to advance.
Women's leadership brings diverse and rich perspectives to economic development, enhances decision-making and fosters a more inclusive and innovative world. Organisations and companies must exemplify diversity by promoting an inclusive culture where leadership teams reflect our societies, communities and excellence.
Women rely on natural resources and bear a greater burden of securing food, water and fuel for their families, making them more vulnerable to climate-related resource scarcity. Climate change impacts women due to existing inequalities, reducing their economic independence and increasing their vulnerability to violence and health risks.
It also impacts maternal and neonatal health, especially when disasters and conflicts limit access to services and health care.
By addressing gender inequality for all women and girls, we can better understand the complex and varying impacts of climate change. And the more we understand these impacts, the stronger and more sustainable our climate solutions will be.
Gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide are human rights violations. They are pervasive, but not inevitable — unless we stay silent. We need stronger policies and support services to combat this scourge.
Our country has laws in place to address GBV. However, more visible enforcing of laws that criminalise GBV is non-negotiable. We need accessible and specialised support for survivors and preventive measures such as education and awareness campaigns.
A multisectoral approach involving individuals, communities, institutions and policymakers is crucial for success.
For generations, summits and conferences have been criticised as “talk shops” because some never lead to concrete action or tangible outcomes. However, summits can be valuable when resolutions translate into tangible progress or implementation.
The G20 and the Cornerstone Conference should turn commitments into action and measurable progress. We need clear goals, actionable plans and consistent monitoring and evaluation of results.
Let us move beyond intentions to tangible implementation.
• Fakude is president of the International Women’s Forum of South Africa
For opinion and analysis consideration, e-mail Opinions@timeslive.co.za
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