Education For Gender Equality And Peace: Advancing Gender Transformative Education for All

Professor Nwabisa Shai, Director of the Gender and Health Research Unit at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and a long-standing member of the VPF driver group, chaired a panel at the G20 seminar titled “Advancing Gender Transformation Education for All”, organised by the Department of Education. The panel featured prominent leaders in this area, including Antara Ganguli, Director of the United Nations Girls' Education Initiative, Brightness Mangolothi, Director of the Centre for Diversity, Inclusion and Social Cohesion at CPUT, Advocate Omashani Naidoo, Deputy Prosecutor at the National Prosecuting Authority, Mbali Shongwe, Founder of Mindful Organisation, Levi Singh, Y20 South Africa Sherpa, and Vuyisile Sophazi, Deputy Director of the Department of Social Development at UKZN. 

The working definition of gender transformative education for the workshop was:  

learning to understand, recognise, and challenge the root causes of gender inequality and injustice. The transformation is in people’s attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours and in the education system, from gender unequal to equal. Gender transformative education seeks to utilise all parts of the education system, from policies, pedagogy, to community engagement, to transform stereotypes, attitudes, norms and practices towards a world where a person’s gender does not impact their access to power, resources and opportunities. 

You can watch the thought-provoking discussion here. The insights from the workshop will be elevated to the G20 Education Working Group.  

An urgent CALL for Relocation of the ORC from DSD to the Office of the Presidency

The South African Child Rights Coalition (SANCRC) has issued a call for the relocation of the Office on the Rights of the Child (ORC) from the Department of Social Development to the Office of the Presidency.

The call states  "SANCRC strongly supports the urgent relocation of the Office on the Rights of the Child (ORC) from the Department of Social Development (DSD) to the Office of the Presidency. This position is grounded in principle and evidence, and it reflects our long-standing commitment to ensuring that children’s rights are protected, promoted, and advanced through capable, well-resourced, and accountable structures."

Read the full submission here 

Dialogue Series: Women in Philanthropy, Liberation, Activism and Leadership

The Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) at Wits Business School (WBS) invites you to the next edition of the Adɔyɛ Dialogue Series, honouring the spirit of love in action through the lens of women’s activation and leadership.

This high-level convening pays tribute to Dr Barbara Masekela and Ms Sibongile Mkhabela, whose legacies exemplify how African women lead with courage, cultural integrity, and care. To learn more about the Adɔyɛ Dialogue Series click here. 

Date: 17 July 2025, 11:00 

This will be a hybrid event

To register to attend online, click here ,

To register to attend in-person click here 

THINK In, Organisational Healing Through Song 

Join Hands On in collaboration with aBantu chorUs for an in-person series that invites us to practise healing in our everyday lives — within our organisations and communities. 

In the face of ongoing uncertainty and the deep legacies of social trauma, many of us experience organisational stress, mistrust, guilt, shame, and burnout — all of which can affect team dynamics, productivity, and well-being. This series offers a breathing space for organisers, activists, and social-purpose practitioners to reflect, connect, and explore practical tools for nurturing emotionally supportive environments — places where we can cope, collaborate, and thrive. 

The next session in the series, hosted in partnership with aBantu chorUs, will explore how song can support healing and promote mental health and well-being in organisational life. 

An online series will follow in September and October 2025, featuring facilitators from across the Global South who will explore wellness in organisations through a range of lenses and experiences. 

To RSVP to attend or learn more, contact Minkateko at 060 672 6451. 

Vacancy: Researcher , Gender and Equality 

The Parliament of South Africa is seeking a dynamic and experienced Researcher to support the Multi-Party Women’s Caucus. In this role, you will provide strategic research to inform gender-responsive legislation, oversight, and public participation. Applicants must have an Honours degree (NQF 8) in Social Sciences, Gender Studies or a related field, along with at least three years’ research experience focused on gender-related matters. You should also demonstrate strong sector-specific knowledge, research experience and methods, project management skills, and a solid understanding of government and parliamentary processes and systems.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful change while enjoying a collaborative, values-driven environment that supports hybrid work and professional growth.

Closing date: 17 July 2025 

South Africa, in partnership with the World Health Organization, will host the 16th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion (Safety 2026) from 2–4 September 2026 at the CTICC in Cape Town. This landmark event returns to Africa after nearly two decades and will bring together global experts, policymakers, and civil society to tackle the root causes of violence, injury, and mental ill-health.

Organised under the theme “#Ubuntu: United for a Safer Future,” the conference marks 30 years since the WHO first declared violence a public health priority—led by democratic South Africa in 1996. The event is co-hosted by the South African Medical Research Council and the Foundation for Professional Development.

If you are conducting impactful research in injury prevention, public health, or community safety, the abstract submission portal for Safety 2026 is now open. Share your insights on the structural, social, or commercial determinants of safety and violence prevention.