SADC: Regional changemakers honoured at Voice & Choice Awards
Johannesburg, 17 March: Changemakers from across Africa were honoured at the Voice & Choice Awards Gala, recognising innovative initiatives advancing gender justice. The awards marked the culmination of the Voice & Choice Summit, which brought together more than 200 activists, community leaders, entrepreneurs and civil society partners.
A total of 42 awards were presented honouring individuals, organisations and initiatives transforming communities and pushing for gender equality, diversity and inclusion. The 34 Voice & Choice Awards (21 winners and 13 runners-up) recognise outstanding achievements in multiple categories spanning change, impact, leadership, organisational development and media excellence.
Winning entries represent ten countries - South Africa, Botswana, Cameroon, Tanzania, Madagascar, Namibia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Lesotho - reflecting strong regional representation and collaboration. South Africa scooped the highest number of awards with 16 wins, followed by Botswana, Cameroon and Tanzania each walked away with three awards. Madagascar and Namibia secured two awards each, and Mauritius, Nigeria, Lesotho and Zimbabwe each claimed one award.
Hosted in parallel, the eight Sunrise Campaign Awards (3 winners and 5 runners-up) marked the culmination of a provincial summit series, acknowledging women entrepreneurs driving economic empowerment and community change.
“These awards celebrate the extraordinary leadership, innovation and resilience of individuals and organisations advancing gender justice across the continent,” said Colleen Lowe Morna, Gender Links founder and Special Advisor. “The Voice & Choice Awards celebrates the people driving change in their communities every day. Their work demonstrates how innovative solutions and sustained investment in gender equality can transform lives.”
Entries from initiatives supported through diverse Gender Links programmes were presented to a panel of judges during the Summit, showcasing powerful stories of impact and change. Winners were drawn from Women’s Voice and Leadership (14 awards), the Marang Fund (10), Women of the South Speak Out (7) and the Sunrise Campaign (8), alongside alliance partners and self-funded initiatives — demonstrating the depth of impact across the region.
Across categories, judges’ comments noted the breadth of bold, innovative and evidence-driven interventions, with strategic multi-tiered approaches and strong community impact. They applauded the creativity, partnerships and forward-looking solutions enabling meaningful, scalable change.
The Summit coincided with celebrations marking Gender Links’ 25 years of advancing gender equality across Southern Africa, underscoring the critical role of regional collaboration and community leadership at a time of growing global backlash against gender equality.
Full list of Voice & Choice Awards winners
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About the Voice & Choice Summit
The Voice & Choice Summit brings together activists, civil society organisations, entrepreneurs and partners from across Africa to share learning, strengthen collaboration and highlight innovative approaches advancing gender equality, diversity and inclusion. First hosted in 2004, the Summit has become a key regional platform for knowledge exchange, partnership-building and collective action, supporting changemakers to share experiences, scale solutions and drive impact across communities.
About Gender Links
Gender Links is a leading Southern African organisation advancing gender equality and justice across the region. Founded in 2001, the organisation works with governments, civil society, communities and the media to promote gender-responsive governance and support grassroots initiatives advancing gender justice.
Media Contact
Deborah Walter, Gender Links
media@genderlinks.org.za
+27 76 498 0932
Press page: https://bit.ly/4sFXyPY
Comments
It was an insightful event. I learnt so much from the presentation. It was amazing networking with other organizations . I learnt so much from them. The culture night. And summit night was breathtaking. I feel honored to have celebrated 25th year anniversary with gender links. Presentation from GRIT. About zuzi. I leant so much. The best three days of my life so far. Thank you gender links. May you continue the great impact full work. Halala Gender Links. Immense Gratitude Mama Colleen for being a mother and mentor to all of us . Many thanks to the GL staff. For their hospitality and humility.
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