Our shaper, Rebecca Ramsamy, has been very busy of late! As the political officer of the Danish Embassy, her team recently organized a seminar with Global Citizen on Women and Youth Empowerment at the Danish Ambassador’s Residence. The seminar brought together high-level panelists to engage with the audience, such as:

  • Dr Makaziwe Mandela of the ‘House of Mandela’
  • Lindiwe Mazibuko (Former Parliamentarian and Co-Founder of Apolitical Academy)
  • Ambassador Sheila Sisulu of the Albertina Sisulu Foundation
  • Dr Brylyn Chitsunge (Pan African Ambassador for Food Security) 
  • Patience Mungwari Mpani from the Centre for Human Rights
  • Ms Brenda Madumise-Pajibo of the #TotalShutDown Movement
  • Dr. Ramneek Ahluwalia (Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at HEAIDS (Higher Education & Training HIV Health Wellness & Development Centre)
  • Ms Anne Githuku-Shongwe, Representative for UN Women’s South Africa Multi-Country Office (SAMCO)
  • Joined by Youth Advocates, Candice Chirwa and Noxolo Ntaka

The discussions were open, frank and inspiring. Although appalling statistics and stories were shared on gender inequality, gender pay-gaps, youth vulnerability in education and gender-based violence – the speakers and panelists also engaged in discussions on ways of networking and working together to combat these societal challenges. The event linked to the discussions of the #SheisEqual hashtag. The event was also star-studded, with performers included Lady Zamar and local singer, Lady Deva.