Johannesburg: Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga has emphasised the importance of collaborative ecosystems in driving successful and resilient women-owned businesses across Africa. Addressing the Group Twenty (G20) Empowerment of Women Working Group (EWWG) Women to Africa event, Chikunga called for joint efforts from governments, private sectors, development institutions, and women entrepreneurs to advance financial inclusion for women. She stated that no economy can claim resilience if women, who constitute more than half of the population, remain excluded from markets, finance, safety, and dignity.
According to South African Government News Agency, the EWWG under South Africa’s G20 Presidency is prioritizing the care economy, financial inclusion for women, and ending gender-based violence and femicide. These priorities align with Africa’s broader G20 agenda, which includes reforming global governance, financing sustainable development, and promoting inclusive growth and job creation. The Minister highlighted the critical role of women in Africa’s future, particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), where women already make up 70% of cross-border traders.
At the domestic level, significant progress has been made in South Africa, with women comprising 43% of the Cabinet, 43.5% of Parliament, and 45% of the judiciary. The new Public Procurement Act enforces a 40% set-aside for women-owned businesses. However, challenges persist, such as a 35.7% unemployment rate among women and the underrepresentation of women as patent holders. The cost of gender-based violence and femicide also imposes a substantial economic burden.
Minister Chikunga called for bold shifts and concrete actions beyond mere commitments. She advocated for financing women-owned businesses by providing affordable capital and placing women at the forefront of emerging industries such as renewable energy, agritech, and digital manufacturing. She stressed the importance of institutionalizing accountability with measurable targets and enforcing fair payment norms for women-owned businesses while embedding zero tolerance for gender-based violence in workplaces.
These initiatives are supported by legacy projects under Africa’s G20 Presidency. South Africa’s G20 Presidency, running from 1 December 2024 to 30 November 2025, operates under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.” The G20 consists of 19 countries and two regional bodies, representing a significant portion of the global economy and population.