2026 Women’s Parliament

Day 1: 13 August 2026
Session 1

Time

Activity

Person responsible

09:00-10:00

Arrival and registration

Support staff

10:00-10:05

• Moment of silence
• National Anthem
• Opening and welcome

Hon. SE Izaks, MP
Chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, National Assembly
Hon. L Dunjwa, MP
Chairperson: Multi-party Women’s Caucus

10:05-10:10

Welcome remarks

Cllr M Bartlett
Executive Mayor of the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality

10:10-10:15

Message of support

Dr Z Saul
Premier of the Northern Cape

10:15-10:20

Archival video
The 1965 Women’s March-Women’s Parliament Reviews Women’s Charter 2021

All

10:20-10:25

Message of support
Measuring 72 years of gender struggle and 30 years of Constitutional democracy in advancing and deepening gender mainstreaming and the role of the legislature

Hon. SB Ferris, MPL
Deputy Speaker: Northern Cape Provincial Legislature

10:25-10:35

Message reflecting on the three waves of the women’s charter, measuring one promise

Hon. SE Izaks, MP
Chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence

10:35-10:45

Message and reflection by Young Women

Hon. Z Khanyase, MP
Chairperson: Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy

10:45-10:55

Message of support and reflections by the Judiciary

Deputy Chief Judge President V Phatshoane
Northern Cape Division of the High Court

10:55-11:05

Message of support and reflections by the Executive

Hon. SL Chikunga, MP
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

11:05-11:15

Commemorative message
From Beijing to Agenda 2063: accelerating women’s equality through accountability and action

Ms G Fraser-Moleketi
Chairperson: Beijing +30 African Women’s Movement

11:15-11:30

High-level address: setting the scene
“Wathint’ Abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo: 70 Years of Resistance, 72 Years of Vision-Advancing Gender Justice, Equality and Resilient Economies for All”

Hon. AT Didiza, MP
Speaker of the National Assembly

Session 2

11:30-12:00

Panel discussion
From the Women’s Charter to Constitutional Democracy: Have We Delivered on the Promise of Equality? Re-engineering Government Planning Through Gender Mainstreaming

Ms N Khwinana
South African Human Rights Commission
Ms S Samaai
Commission for Gender Equality (CGE)
Ms AT Mfulo
National Chairperson of Disabled Women South Africa (DWSA)

12:00-12:50

Interactive discussion session

All

12:50-13:00

Women’s Parliament Official Group Photo

All

13:00-14:00

Lunch

All

Session 3

14:00-14:20

Panel discussion
The Economic Freedom Women Marched For: Advancing Economic Justice, Inclusion and Opportunity

Hon S Ndhlovu, MP
Chairperson: Select Committee on Finance
Ms M Nkwanyana
President, Businesswomen’s Association of South Africa
Ms B Muthien
She Builds Peace Network

14:20-15:00

Interactive discussion session

All

Session 4

15:00-15:20

Panel discussion
Justice for Women: 70 Years Later-Has the Promise of Protection, Dignity and Equality Been Realised?

Cllr K Phukuntsi
SALGA National Women’s Commission Leader
Ms N Capa
National SALGA Women’s Commission Leader
Ms M Ramadi
Programmes Director, Sonke Gender Justice
Ms N Dlamini
Campaign Director, South African Alcohol Policy Alliance (SAAPA)

15:20-16:00

Interactive discussion session

All

Session 5

16:00-16:20

Panel discussion
Custom, Culture and Equality: Honouring Heritage While Advancing the Rights and Dignity of Women

Prof. P LenkaBula
Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Africa (Unisa)
Ms K Ancer
DG Murray Trust (DGMT)
Commissioner TD Nkwe
Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the rights of cultural, religious and linguistic communities (CRL Commission)
Kgoshigadi DA Ntwampe
National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NHTKL)

16:20-17:00

Interactive discussion session

All

Session 6

17:00-17:05

• Summary of day 1
• Programme overview and expectations for day 2

Hon. J Mananiso, MP
Select Committee on Security and Justice, National Council of Provinces

17:05

Adjournment

All

Day 2: 14 August 2026
Session 7

08:30-09:00

Arrival, registration, and morning tea

Support staff

09:00-09:35

Welcome and outline of the day’s programme

Hon. B Machi, MP
Multi-party Women’s Caucus

Session 8

09:35-09:55

Panel discussion
Women, land and climate resilience: sustaining the legacy of the women of 1956 for future generations

Hon. N Gantsho, MP
Chairperson: Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries
Queen Neo Mononela
Presidential Climate Commission
Ms N Mbiko
National Chairperson - African Farmers Association of South Africa (AFASA Women)

09:55-10:35

Interactive discussion session

All

Session 9

10:35-10:55

Panel discussion
From the Women’s Charter to the Digital Age: Empowering Women and Girls for the Future

Hon. K Sangoni–Diko, MP
Chairperson: Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies
Dr S Myende
Chairperson of the NYDA
Ms P Mokomele
HOD: Corporate Affairs at DKMS Africa
Hon. M Kobe, MP
Young Parliamentarian Steering Committee Member

10:55-11:35

Interactive discussion session

All

Session 10

11:35-11:45

Declarations of the 2026 Women’s Parliament

Ms L Nare
CEO: Progressive Women's Movement of South Africa (PWMSA)

11:45-12:00

Summary, way forward, and vote of thanks

Hon. Dr N Nkabane, MP
Acting Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture
Hon. L Dunjwa, MP
Chairperson: Multi-party Women’s Caucus

12:00-13:00

Lunch and departure

All