Soul City Institute Supports SADC Call to Accelerate Gender Equality, Women's Empowerment and the Eradication of GBVF

The Minister's call follows the Meeting of SADC Ministers Responsible for Gender and Women's Affairs, held from 23–26 June 2026 under South Africa's chairpersonship, where regional leaders reaffirmed their commitment to building a more equal, inclusive and just Southern Africa.

As an organisation committed to advancing social justice, health equity and human rights, the Soul City Institute recognises that gender equality is fundamental to sustainable development and thriving communities. While all 16 SADC Member States have committed themselves to advancing gender equality through the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, implementation remains uneven.

The meeting highlighted that women currently occupy only 28.5% of executive leadership positions across the region, significantly below the regional target of 50%. To date, only Namibia and Seychelles have achieved gender parity in their ministerial cabinets, while no SADC Member State has yet reached parity in Parliament. Ministers also acknowledged that gender-based violence remains one of the region's most pressing human rights and public health challenges, calling for stronger prevention programmes, improved data systems, enhanced multi-sectoral coordination and increased investment in survivor-centred responses.

With fewer than five years remaining to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the ambitions of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP 2020–2030), now is the time for governments, civil society, communities, the private sector and development partners to move beyond commitments and deliver measurable action.

The Soul City Institute therefore joins the regional call for:

• Accelerated implementation of the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development.
• Greater representation of women in leadership and decision-making.
• Increased investment in preventing and responding to GBVF.
• Women's economic empowerment through inclusive policies and opportunities.
• Gender-responsive budgeting and stronger accountability mechanisms.
• Greater collaboration between governments, civil society, communities and young people to transform harmful gender norms.

Ending GBVF requires collective action. Every woman and girl has the right to live free from violence, discrimination and inequality. The Soul City Institute remains committed to working alongside governments, communities, civil society and regional partners to strengthen prevention efforts, promote positive social norms and advance gender justice across Southern Africa.

Together, we can build a region where equality is realised, women's rights are protected, and every person can live in safety, dignity and freedom.

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