SA: Sunrise summits economic power to end GBV
| Gender Links
Johannesburg, South Africa, 23 July 2023: Today marks a major milestone in the journey to economic freedom for survivors of gender-based violence, as Gender Links launches the first in a series of Provincial Sunrise Campaign Summits. The Limpopo Province Summit, hosted at GL Cottages in Johannesburg, is the opening event building momentum toward the Regional Sunrise Summit scheduled for 8 March 2026, International Women’s Day.The Limpopo Summit brings together 27 entrepreneurs from Limpopo Province, including 15 Start-Up Entrepreneurs and 12 Established Entrepreneurs who have participated in the Sunrise Campaign since 2024. Over two days, these women entrepreneurs will share their business journeys, highlight innovations and celebrate how entrepreneurship has empowered their lives.The Sunrise Campaign is a groundbreaking initiative that provides life skills, entrepreneurship, and digital training to survivors of gender-based violence. It empowers women not only to start and grow their own businesses but also to reclaim their dignity and independence. The campaign is rooted in the understanding that economic power is key to breaking the cycle of violence and building a future of choice and opportunity.The Sunrise Summit Awards Ceremony will take place on 24 July at 18h00, recognising outstanding entrepreneurs. All participants will be honoured with certificates of participation, acknowledging their achievements and resilience.“This summit is not just a competition - it’s a celebration of courage, growth, and what becomes possible when women are given the tools and support to rise,” said Naledi Masipa, South Africa Sunrise Campaign Manager at Gender Links.For many participants, this is more than just a business showcase—it is a profound personal milestone. Some are travelling for the first time, staying in hotels, and speaking in front of an audience. These moments are reminders of how far they have come - from survivors of violence to thriving entrepreneurs.The Sunrise Campaign demonstrates the clear link between economic independence and reduced vulnerability to gender-based violence. South Africa’s own National Strategic Plan on GBVF recognises economic power as a pillar for sustainable change—exactly what the Sunrise Campaign delivers.Following Limpopo, the momentum continues:
- Gauteng Summit – August 2025
- Western Cape Summit – October 2025
- Northern Cape Summit – November 2025
