The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) welcomes the appointment of former Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka as the second head of UN WOMEN. As a long-time advocate of women’s rights, the CGE believes she is the best candidate to take the baton from former Chilean President, Michelle Bachelet as executive director of the organisation.
Hers serve as an inspiration that gender parity and that which the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and its optional Protocol that seeks to promote gender equality in access to social and economic opportunities and political power can be realised.
The CGE believes that Mlambo-Ngcuka through her leadership acumen and savvy that she has displayed in her previous portfolios as the Deputy President, Minister of Minerals and Energy, and Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry will only serve as a catalyst for her to do exceptionally well.
The CGE believes that, this is indeed a decade for African women to rise and take the challenge in an endeavour to open avenues for gender equality, equity and strive towards women empowerment.
This appointment coupled with that of Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as the Chairperson of African Union (AU) and Dr. Navi Pillay as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is an indication that the African Charter on Human and people’s Rights and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, on the Rights of Women in Africa, since promulgated have come in full circles as it sought to eliminate discrimination against women and for the protection of their rights.
With Mlambo-Ngcuka at the helm, the CGE believes that the gender agenda from an African perspective will be appropriately implemented.
“It is our belief that other women, in particular girl children throughout the continent will look at this not as a fulfilment of a dream for Mlambo-Ngcuka but a constant reminder that they too can ascend to positions that have global impact”, said the Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality, Mr. Mfanozelwe Shozi.
Enquiries:
Javu Baloyi
Tel: 011 403 7182
