Women’s political participation

Through a quarter of a century, Gender Links has helped women prove their worth, courage, and resilience. You've been a pillar of support for the marginalised, promoting women in the media, economy, and society. I fondly remember our endless workshops in Botswana that strengthened our media positions, but most importantly built and our solidarity and sisterhood that remains today. Equally vital was our journey to educate empower women in politics to step out of their cocoons and compete equally with men. We succeeded, helping rural women without academic qualifications become councillors and ministers. Women you deserve to celebrate yourselves and keep the flames of solidarity burning.

Thank you for giving many of us the opportunity to grow, upgrade our skills, and empower ourselves. Your support has opened doors that once seemed out of reach and allowed us to showcase our abilities with confidence. Without your investment in our development, many of us would not be where we are today. Your work continues to shape and strengthen journalists and advocates across the region.

“Please accept our sincere and profound appreciation for the lecture that you gave on 12 September 2024, at the Provincial Thought Leadership Seminar. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) truly appreciates the substance and depth embodied in your lecture, particularly since the seminar was targeted at key provincial and national body polity stakeholders.”

“I would like to thank all the political parties that have representation in this training, as well as International IDEA for the support that enables this training to take place and Gender Links for putting together such a rich and empowering programme. Participants must go implement what they will have learned these five days.”

“This mail is to … express my gratitude for your presentation. It gives the right overview we need for advocacy for women’s leadership and participation at the political level. For years, we lacked aggregated data.”