In conversation with Dr Sindiswa - Championing Gender Inclusion and Leadership for African Women - International Women
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On March 8, 2025, the world will unite under the theme “For
ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” This
year marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and
Platform for Action, a landmark framework for advancing gender
equality globally. Despite progress, the world remains deeply
unequal, making this a crucial moment to demand action.
Governments, corporations, civil society, and individuals are
urged to accelerate efforts in closing gender gaps, ensuring
equal opportunities, and amplifying the voices of women and
girls worldwide. The official UN commemoration event will take
place on March 7, 2025, at the UN General Assembly Hall in
New York, with a live stream available on UN WebTV.
While inequalities persist, significant strides have been made in
advancing women’s rights. Today, 89% of governments prioritize
ending violence against women, with 193 countries
implementing legal protections. Educational parity has been
largely achieved, and more women are entering fields like
science and technology. Progress is also evident in labor rights,
with 32% of countries improving pay and working conditions for
care workers. Additionally, 112 countries now have national
plans to involve women in peace and security efforts, a notable
increase from just 19 in 2010. This International Women’s Day
serves as a call to action to advocate, celebrate achievements,
and drive meaningful change. Everyone is encouraged to
participate, share stories, and amplify the movement using
#ForAllWomenAndGirls and #IWD2025.
Sindiswa Mzamo, widely known as Madam President, is a
trailblazer in women’s economic empowerment and the
President of the Circle of Global Business Women (CGBW). At
49, she has dedicated her career to advocating for African
women’s inclusion in global leadership, trade, and
decision-making spaces. Inspired by a conversation with Patrice
Motsepe and her experiences at the World Economic Forum,
she realized the urgent need for African women to gain visibility
and influence in international discussions. She has since
mentored over 100 women across the continent, focusing on
gender inclusion rather than mere gender equality. “When it’s
gender inclusion, it’s easier for women to learn from and
empower one another,” she explains, emphasizing collaboration
over competition. She also highlights the significance of
Women’s Month, particularly in honoring Charlotte Maxeke,
South Africa’s first black female graduate. “Her legacy must rise
and live on through us as women and leaders,” she asserts.
Mzamo’s efforts align with initiatives such as the South African
Women in Dialogue (SAWID), which actively promotes women’s
participation in leadership and governance. This Youth Month,
SAWID, in partnership with the South African Local Government
Association (SALGA), will empower young women to take up
leadership positions in local government. Through programs like
Madam Chair, a collaboration between CGBW and the Directors
Association, Mzamo is contributing to this mission by training
women for executive roles. The program, which requires
participants to serve on NGO boards for a year, has already
produced 20 graduates, with nine more set to begin training in
mid-August. Recognizing the disproportionate impact of
COVID-19 on women, Mzamo has also spearheaded webinars
on financial management, marketing, business development,
and international trade, reinforcing the belief that collaboration is
the new competition. As a global leader, she urges women to
claim their rightful place in the marketplace and lead with
integrity and dignity. Through her work and partnerships with
organizations like SAWID, Sindiswa Mzamo is redefining the
role of African women in business, governance, and
international trade, ensuring their voices shape the future.
ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” This
year marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and
Platform for Action, a landmark framework for advancing gender
equality globally. Despite progress, the world remains deeply
unequal, making this a crucial moment to demand action.
Governments, corporations, civil society, and individuals are
urged to accelerate efforts in closing gender gaps, ensuring
equal opportunities, and amplifying the voices of women and
girls worldwide. The official UN commemoration event will take
place on March 7, 2025, at the UN General Assembly Hall in
New York, with a live stream available on UN WebTV.
While inequalities persist, significant strides have been made in
advancing women’s rights. Today, 89% of governments prioritize
ending violence against women, with 193 countries
implementing legal protections. Educational parity has been
largely achieved, and more women are entering fields like
science and technology. Progress is also evident in labor rights,
with 32% of countries improving pay and working conditions for
care workers. Additionally, 112 countries now have national
plans to involve women in peace and security efforts, a notable
increase from just 19 in 2010. This International Women’s Day
serves as a call to action to advocate, celebrate achievements,
and drive meaningful change. Everyone is encouraged to
participate, share stories, and amplify the movement using
#ForAllWomenAndGirls and #IWD2025.
Sindiswa Mzamo, widely known as Madam President, is a
trailblazer in women’s economic empowerment and the
President of the Circle of Global Business Women (CGBW). At
49, she has dedicated her career to advocating for African
women’s inclusion in global leadership, trade, and
decision-making spaces. Inspired by a conversation with Patrice
Motsepe and her experiences at the World Economic Forum,
she realized the urgent need for African women to gain visibility
and influence in international discussions. She has since
mentored over 100 women across the continent, focusing on
gender inclusion rather than mere gender equality. “When it’s
gender inclusion, it’s easier for women to learn from and
empower one another,” she explains, emphasizing collaboration
over competition. She also highlights the significance of
Women’s Month, particularly in honoring Charlotte Maxeke,
South Africa’s first black female graduate. “Her legacy must rise
and live on through us as women and leaders,” she asserts.
Mzamo’s efforts align with initiatives such as the South African
Women in Dialogue (SAWID), which actively promotes women’s
participation in leadership and governance. This Youth Month,
SAWID, in partnership with the South African Local Government
Association (SALGA), will empower young women to take up
leadership positions in local government. Through programs like
Madam Chair, a collaboration between CGBW and the Directors
Association, Mzamo is contributing to this mission by training
women for executive roles. The program, which requires
participants to serve on NGO boards for a year, has already
produced 20 graduates, with nine more set to begin training in
mid-August. Recognizing the disproportionate impact of
COVID-19 on women, Mzamo has also spearheaded webinars
on financial management, marketing, business development,
and international trade, reinforcing the belief that collaboration is
the new competition. As a global leader, she urges women to
claim their rightful place in the marketplace and lead with
integrity and dignity. Through her work and partnerships with
organizations like SAWID, Sindiswa Mzamo is redefining the
role of African women in business, governance, and
international trade, ensuring their voices shape the future.
