GL@25 and Voice & Choice Summit
Johannesburg, 11 March: More than 200 activists, community leaders, entrepreneurs and media from across Africa will gather in Johannesburg from 15 - 17 March 2026 for the Voice & Choice Summit and Awards spotlighting innovation and impact towards gender equality. A highlight of the event will be the celebration of Gender Links’ 25th anniversary - marking a quarter century of advancing gender justice across Southern Africa.
Partners will share learning, strengthen collaboration and showcase initiatives and strategies that offer insight into innovative approaches, leadership and the lived realities behind gender equality work. Their experiences demonstrate how community-led solutions and sustained investment in gender programmes can transform lives.
Founded in 2001, Gender Links works across the region to advance gender justice through programmes on ending violence, economic and climate justice, women’s political participation, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and gender and media.
“For 25 years Gender Links has worked with communities, civil society, governments and the media to advance gender justice across Southern Africa,” said Colleen Lowe Morna, Gender Links’ founder and Special Advisor. “Our anniversary is a moment to celebrate progress while renewing our commitment to push forward for equality.”
The summit and anniversary take place at a time when progress toward gender equality faces growing global backlash and increasing resistance to women’s rights, diversity and inclusion. Against this backdrop, the Voice & Choice Summit brings together people driving change on the ground - including women entrepreneurs rebuilding their lives after gender-based violence, activists strengthening rights advocacy, and community leaders championing equality and inclusion.
“Movements for gender justice remain resilient,” Emily Brown, Gender Links Board Chairperson. “The Voice & Choice Summit is about recognising the people and organisations driving change in their communities every day.”
The summit concludes with the Voice & Choice Gala and Awards, celebrating individuals, organisations and initiatives driving progress toward gender equality across the region. The awards recognise changemakers across several categories, including Stories of Change, Leadership, Organisational Excellence and Change Strategy, highlighting initiatives transforming communities, influencing policy and strengthening institutions for gender justice.
Additional awards include the Marang Media Awards, recognising journalism covering LGBTIQ issues and the Sunrise Regional Awards, celebrating women entrepreneurs emerging from the Sunrise Campaign who are building businesses and strengthening economic independence.
Stories submitted for the awards offer compelling examples of resilience, leadership and innovation - from community initiatives addressing gender-based violence to entrepreneurs creating new opportunities for women and young people.
For media enquiries contact: media@genderlinks.org.za