As South Africa gears up to host the Group of 20 (G20) Summit in 2025, Minister of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has reiterated the country’s dedication to prioritizing gender equality and women’s empowerment on the global stage. This announcement comes after her involvement in the G20 Women’s Empowerment Working Group (EWWG) Ministerial Meetings held in Brasilia, Brazil.
A key milestone of the meetings was the official handover of the G20 EWWG Chairship from Brazil to South Africa. Minister Chikunga received the symbolic transfer from Brazil’s Minister of Women, Cida Goncalves, marking the conclusion of Brazil’s G20 Presidency, which focused on the theme “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet.”
Sindisiwe Chikunga said, “South Africa’s Chairship in 2025 will build on the strong foundation laid by Brazil while focusing on these critical areas to ensure a results-driven approach to women’s empowerment.”
In her address, Chikunga highlighted South Africa’s three main priorities for the G20 Women’s Empowerment Working Group in 2025, addressing the Care Economy by tackling unpaid care work that limits women’s economic opportunities, promoting financial inclusion through women’s ownership of land and strategic assets while ensuring meaningful access to property rights, and preventing gender-based violence by combating harmful stereotypes and protecting women and children from all forms of violence.
During the Ministerial Meeting, Chikunga showcased South Africa’s advancements in enhancing gender representation, social inclusion, and women’s roles in decision-making. She stressed the importance of prioritizing emerging fields such as women’s engagement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), artificial intelligence (AI), climate policy, and sustainable development. Chikunga called for collaborative efforts to tackle systemic inequalities, reiterating South Africa’s dedication to promoting these initiatives during its G20 leadership.
In December 2024, South Africa will take over the G20 Presidency from Brazil, establishing itself as a key player in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. Under Chikunga’s leadership, the country aims to inspire tangible progress and drive significant changes for women across the globe.
