About us

Gender Links is a Southern African non-governmental organisation that works towards an inclusive, equal and just society for women and girls in all their diversity.

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Who we are

We are a leading Southern African women’s rights organisation, headquartered in Johannesburg, with offices across 10 SADC countries. Established in 2001, we have received many awards, including from the Mail & Guardian and the African Union.

The organisation coordinates the Southern African Gender Protocol Alliance, advocating for gender equality aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, and produces an annual barometer.

Our 50/50 Campaign promotes equal representation of women in politics and local governance and collaborates with 432 councils across the SADC region.

Our Southern Africa home

Click on each country to find out how we work with the women and girls of that nation.

Madagascar Botswana Lesotho Mauritius South Africa Zimbabwe Zambia Tanzania Seychelles Namibia Mozambique Malawi Eswatini Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Angola

Testimonials

“GL’s commitment to marginalised groups makes them a valuable partner in advancing the cause of ending violence against women and girls.”
Carine Khawam, Global Affairs Canada
“I have known this award-winning organisation from its humble beginnings in 2001 to the major regional force that it is in Southern Africa today. GL has an excellent reputation for its focus on results and financial accountability.”
Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, former Public Service Minister for South Africa and former Special Envoy on Gender at the African Development Bank
“I knew I was gender blind. I wanted to learn. The GL journey has made me a gender advocate. I care passionately about gender integration. It is important.”
Luleka Mossie, project manager: Africa regional office, Gates Foundation
“Our investment shifted from ad hoc approaches to systematic gender mainstreaming, integrating gender into the theory of change and results framework.”
Investment owner, PHC advocacy investment, Nigeria
“It’s crucial that we incorporate Gender Links’ input into our strategy now, rather than waiting for the gender integration marker to appear in specific investments.”
Julia Shen, Global Development Office of the President and Africa Regional Office Health, Gates Foundation

Our team

Meet our changemakers, united in purpose to drive equality.

Awards

Mail & Guardian Drivers of Change Award

Mail & Guardian Investing in the Future Award

African Union – outstanding contribution to women’s rights

Partners

We’re proud that we’re often described as a “small organisation with large footprints”. Our strategic programme delivery mechanism is based on partnerships, networking and collaboration. Partnering with national governments, local governments, civil societies, faith-based organisations and media fraternities, our work spans 15 countries – although we are always reaching out to global partners to have a bigger impact.

Gender Links maintains a relatively diversified funding portfolio, buoyed significantly by bilateral donors. We are deeply indebted to our sponsors.