The 2025 third African Women in Dialogue (AfWID) forum that brought over 1000 women from 55 countries kicked off in Johannesburg on Monday 27 January 2025 with several prominent women showing their support for the women who gathered for this significant event. AfWID is an inclusive platform of dialogue that seeks to unite African women from all walks of life under one roof and deliberate on issues of continental importance. It is an annual 5-day platform with its home in South Africa. The week-long (27-31 January 2025) AfWID forum created a platform for women to reflect, connect, and share strategies to address the persistent challenges African women face.
The AFWID dialogue was not just conference. It was a space where women voice their struggles, share their experiences, and shape solutions that will lead to a more equitable and inclusive future for all. The AfWID gathering was among other key objectives to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which was unanimously adopted by 189 countries. The forum was also to serve as a platform to reflect on the progress made so far and the challenges that still need to be addressed.
The theme of the conference, Women’s Voice and Power as Change Agents underscored the urgency for collective action. The philosophy behind this theme was about recognising and harnessing the unique strengths, perspectives, and contributions of women to drive positive change in society. Empowering women and amplifying their voices leads to more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development for all.
Commenting on why she led the establishment of AfWID, founder Ms Zanele Mbeki said while attending the World Economic Forum in Davos a few years ago she witnessed global leaders and decision-makers tackling pressing issues without the confines of a script. This struck her and the question she had was why African women do not have a similar platform where they can define their own agenda, free from external frameworks.
Too often, African women are invited into spaces organised by others—whether it’s Davos, the United Nations, or the African Union. While these platforms are valuable, they don’t always center on the unique challenges and experiences of women on the African continent. The third AfWID conference was therefore going to review critical areas of concern, highlight progress and gains made.
Reflecting on the importance of the gathering, Munya Mandipaza the INERELA+ Executive Director said there were many issues affecting women in Africa. There is a need to challenge systemic barriers that hinder progress, and women must stand united in the fight against exclusion, gender-based violence in its multiple forms, and discrimination. She recognised the struggles faced by poor rural women across the continent. These women are the backbone of their communities, yet they face tremendous hardships. They toil tirelessly, often with limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. They are disproportionately affected by climate change, poverty, and lack of infrastructure. Their voices are often unheard and their needs are unmet.
Commenting on the Beijing Declaration, Munya Mandipaza was concerned that while there is some progress, overall, we have not done well at all. Across the continent, war persists, access to basic needs remains a dream for many, and the girl child continues to be violated. There was therefore needed to reflect on these issues and then go back to our countries to work on implementing the changes we want to see.
Another delegate, Ms. Happy Mzembe, a journalist from Malawi, emphasised the transformative power of women coming together to address the challenges facing Africa. She highlighted the courage and determination that women bring. “We have converged here to find solutions,” said Mzembe. “We need a paradigm shift. We, as women, are people with solutions”. It is through dialogue that the world is going to transform. It is this very courage that will lead to liberation in the realms of economics, politics, and societal structures,” she added.
Her words serve as a rallying call, urging women to harness their collective strength and wisdom to create sustainable change and lead the way in reshaping the future of the continent. Women were encouraged to remain vigilant and committed to achieving true and just equality for all.