Sindisiwe Chikunga to Address Key Issues on Gender Equality and Assume G20 Leadership Role in 2025

South Africa is represented by Sindisiwe Chikunga, the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, at this pivotal gathering.

Issues of gender equality and women’s empowerment are in focus at the G20 Ministerial Women’s Empowerment Working Group (EWWG), currently being held in Brasília, Brazil, from 9 to 11 October 2024. South Africa is represented by Sindisiwe Chikunga, the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, at this pivotal gathering.

This marks the first meeting of the EWWG under Brazil's Presidency, following the Working Group’s establishment in 2023 under India’s G20 leadership. The group was formed to assist member countries in addressing gender inequalities and promoting women's empowerment in various dimensions.

According to a statement from the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Minister Chikunga will address several pressing topics, including gender inequality, women's economic empowerment, the role of women leaders in climate change, and the under-representation of women in decision-making spaces.

Key Themes at the G20 Women’s Empowerment Meeting

The Working Group’s agenda is organized around three crucial themes:

Promoting Women’s Economic Equality and Autonomy: Addressing the gender-based division of labour, narrowing the pay gap, and ensuring equal access to leadership positions across sectors.

Confronting Violence and Misogyny: Tackling both traditional and digital forms of gender-based violence, ensuring women’s safety in all industries, and addressing the threats posed by online misogyny.

Gender-Inclusive Climate Action: Recognizing women’s indispensable role in climate action and pushing for their increased representation in global decision-making processes related to environmental sustainability.

The discussions will culminate in the adoption of a Ministerial Declaration, reaffirming the G20’s commitment to advancing gender equality on a global scale.

Collaborative Efforts and Bilateral Meetings

Minister Chikunga will engage in a series of bilateral meetings with international counterparts, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, to strengthen global partnerships and explore joint efforts to promote women’s rights and economic empowerment.

In her address on Thursday, Chikunga will present South Africa’s perspective on gender equality within the G20 framework, alongside representatives from Brazil and India. She will also contribute to the development of a ministerial declaration that will help shape the G20 Women’s Empowerment Declaration, influencing global policies on gender equality.

G20 Leadership for South Africa in 2025

As part of the closing ceremonies, Minister Chikunga will participate in a symbolic handover to formally take on the Chairmanship of the G20 Women’s Empowerment Working Group for the year 2025. This leadership role places South Africa at the forefront of global efforts to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment within the G20.

Through these strategic initiatives, the G20 aims to foster global collaboration and action, ensuring that gender equality remains a central component of the international policy agenda.