Parliament, Saturday, 15 August 2026 – The 2026 Women’s Parliament has ended with a call for women to renew unity among themselves and for government and society to turn commitments on gender equality into practical action that improves the lives of women and girls.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thoko Didiza, said South Africa had made important progress since 1994, with women increasingly occupying leadership roles in Parliament, government, the judiciary, business, academia and civil society. She cautioned, however, that these gains should not be taken for granted.
Speaking on the first day of the two-day Women’s Parliament at Sol Plaatje University in Kimberley, Northern Cape, the Speaker drew lessons from the women who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956, when more than 20 000 women from different backgrounds stood together against the apartheid pass laws. She said their example showed what women could achieve when they put aside their differences and united around a common cause. Ms Didiza called on women to respect and support one another despite political and other differences, and to remain focused on the broader struggle for gender equality and justice.
Women currently make up 43% of Parliament and 45% of Cabinet, while also occupying leadership positions in key constitutional institutions. However, the Speaker cautioned that representation alone did not mean that the struggle for equality was over.
The Women’s Parliament also focused on the challenges that continue to affect women and girls, including gender-based violence and femicide, unemployment, poverty, unequal access to economic opportunities and the digital divide. Participants also highlighted the need for stronger cooperation between national, provincial and local government, Parliament, civil society, business and communities.
A key outcome of the two-day programme was the adoption of a declaration aimed at accelerating progress on gender equality and strengthening accountability for commitments already made.
The key commitments include:
- Gender-responsive planning and budgeting, with stronger monitoring, measurable targets and consequences where commitments are not implemented;
- Greater economic empowerment for women, including improved access to land, property, finance, water, agricultural support, markets and business registration, while ensuring that women with disabilities and women in rural and urban areas are included in policymaking;
- Stronger action against gender-based violence and femicide, poverty, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy and secondary victimisation, including gender-sensitivity training for SAPS officials and accessible services for survivors;
- Greater participation by women in climate action, disaster management, climate resilience and the oceans economy as part of a broader climate-justice agenda;
- Digital and educational inclusion, including affordable broadband, access to devices and opportunities for women and girls in artificial intelligence, coding, cybersecurity, data skills, STEM, technical and vocational education, entrepreneurship, scholarships and mentorship; and
- Stronger public participation and accountability, through partnerships with civil society, women’s organisations and public institutions
The declaration will be circulated among participants and taken forward through legislatures and sectoral platforms. Its implementation will be closely monitored to ensure that commitments made during the Women’s Parliament translate into action.
The 2026 Women’s Parliament has, in essence, underscored the shared responsibility of all sectors of society to advance gender equality. It has also reinforced a message that defined the gathering: South Africa cannot achieve meaningful gender equality without women standing together, holding those in positions of responsibility accountable and turning hard-won rights into real opportunities, safety, dignity and justice for every woman and girl.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo, Parliament Spokesperson
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