Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Lydia Chikunga has called for women’s empowerment that transcends generations, is institutionalised, and gives women the power to define their futures.
“Africa and the world [must] move from merely remembering women to building institutions that include women. Our responsibility is not only to honour the women who changed history - it is to ensure that the next generation of women has the power to define their own futures,” Chikunga said on Tuesday in Pretoria.
The Minister was speaking at the launch of the Portraits of Power Exhibition, which celebrates extraordinary women whose courage, leadership and contributions have shaped nations and inspired generations.
The exhibition takes place during Women’s Month, celebrated under the theme: “Empowered Women Empower the Nation,” and commemorates the 70th anniversary of the historic 9 August 1956 march by more than 20 000 women to the Union Buildings.
Chikunga emphasised that women must take their rightful place in all areas where decisions are made, and power is exercised.
“Especially decisions over the ownership, control and management of the wealth-producing resources of this land. We must continue to ask difficult questions: Where are the women when budgets are allocated, when policies are designed, and when decisions about our collective future are taken,” Chikunga said.
She stressed that women’s participation must be institutionalised, not incidental.
“We must demand institutional commitment, not symbolic commitment. The true measure of our commitment to women is not the number of conferences we hold, or portraits we unveil. It is whether our institutions themselves change — whether women gain access to capital, education, leadership, technology, markets, and decision-making power,” the Minister said.
Chikunga said women must have access to education, financial support, networks and institutions that can turn ambition into influence — and influence into impact.
“We must make intergenerational inclusion mandatory. This initiative already creates a platform connecting international women leaders, diplomats, artists, students, and young women leaders. Let us institutionalise those connections. Every woman who has climbed the ladder must become part of building the ladder for someone else. Bring someone along,” she said.
The Minister said the women whose portraits were unveiled should not remain historical figures on walls.
“They must become symbols of hope, and of access. Their stories must enter our classrooms, our universities, our communities, and our conversations with young women — and opportunities must be materially realised in their honour.
“Let us leave this room with a personal responsibility. Leave here committed. Identify one young woman you will mentor. One door you will open. One institution you will challenge. One opportunity you will create. Because the most powerful portrait we can unveil is the portrait of the woman whose future we helped change,” she said.
The International Portraits of Power exhibition is a Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke Institute initiative presented in partnership with The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa and participating diplomatic missions.
It forms part of a series of legacy projects commemorating the 155th birthday anniversary of Mannya-Maxeke. - SAnews.gov.za
