CAPE TOWN, Nov 7 (NNN-SANEWS) — South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised that efforts to expand women’s access to finance, digital tools, and entrepreneurship must go hand in hand with the fight to end gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
“It’s inspiring when many women who, against extraordinary odds, have transformed adversity into opportunity. When women prosper, the whole community benefits,” President Ramaphosa said.
The President was addressing delegates at the International Women’s Forum (IWF) conference, currently underway at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).
He paid tribute to women who, despite facing systemic discrimination, have built successful businesses, led communities, and developed innovative solutions that have improved the lives of millions.
“These are the women who have raised families while pursuing education; who have crossed cultural and structural barriers to lead in fields where they were once invisible,” Ramaphosa said.
He said the stories of resilience remind society that progress is not just about policy, but also courage, creativity and persistence.
“This conference is a platform to examine how women in leadership can not only respond to today’s challenges but anticipate the opportunities of tomorrow.”
The President noted that the sessions at the conference bring global perspectives from women leading large institutions and shaping entire communities. These discussions, he said, are especially timely in a world of shifting geopolitics, where multilateralism is tested and new forms of cooperation are urgently needed.
Ramaphosa called for collective action to ensure there is no backsliding on the progress made in advancing gender equality.
“We must recognise that our progress is intertwined. That when women rise, societies rise with them. Today, we celebrate not only the leaders in this room but also the millions of women worldwide who, through courage, and ingenuity, are transforming their communities and breaking down barriers for the next generation,” he said.
Welcoming delegates, the President said South Africa is honoured to host a gathering of thought leaders, innovators, and change-makers committed to shaping the contours of the global future.
“Your presence here signals a shared determination to confront entrenched inequalities, to champion inclusive growth and to create pathways that empower women everywhere,” Ramaphosa said.
Convened under a theme: ‘Ubuntu: I am because we are,” the conference called on the global community to recognise shared humanity, interdependence and collective power of women in shaping society.
The International Women’s Forum of South Africa (IWFSA) was established 19 years ago when its patron, Zanele Mbeki, together with a group of women leaders, set up a South African chapter of the IWF.
IWFSA currently has grown to include 100 members from government, business, science, the arts and numerous other sectors.
The IWFSA members, who are at the top of their fields of endeavour and who have nationally and internationally identifiable track records, enjoy unique networking opportunities with access to both local and global influence of high performing, like minded and accomplished women. — NNN-SANEWS
