Coinciding with the 2024 United Nations' (UN's) commemoration of International Women's Day, themed "Invest in women: Accelerate progress", the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, in partnership with Unisa, among other stakeholders, hosted the International Women's Day Dialogue aimed at addressing the economic plight of women. The dialogue, themed "Financial inclusion", focused on addressing the eradication of poverty, supporting feminist change makers, implementing gender-responsive financing, investing in women, and shifting to a green economy and care society. Therefore, it was emphasised that these were critical areas that required urgent attention in addressing gender equality by 2030.

From left: Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Zanele Mbeki, Gloria Serobe (Wiphold), Brigalia Bam, Ayanda Mafoleka (FASSET), Gereldine Fraser-Moleketi (Thabo Mbeki Foundation)

Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Puleng LenkaBula

Unisa's Principal and Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Puleng LenkaBula, honoured women who were active anchors of freedom and formed part of the liberation of African countries. The VC remarked: "These women gathered at the African Women's Conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (then known as Tanganyika) in July 1962, before the UN's institutionalisation of the International Women's Day." LenkaBula added that Unisa's 150th celebration is not only about the inception of open distance learning in higher education but also recognises the role of pathfinder women in creating opportunities for others. The VC maintained: "Women should not allow to be reduced to shadows of themselves, and they should draw inspiration from leaders who preserved in difficult and complex times."

In her presentation titled "Inspire inclusion: Invest in women - Accelerate progress", keynote speaker Nontobeko Lubisi, Director for Financial Inclusion at the National Treasury, said that gender pay gaps, lack of tangible assets and lack of financial literacy were some of the factors that exacerbate women's financial struggles. She further explained that the legacy of apartheid in South Africa has contributed immensely to the financial adversities of women, which hindered a faster progression of financial inclusion. "Unfortunately," Lubisi continued "a society that marginalises a large portion of their population tends to be less prosperous. Also, we have not completely dismantled the culture of exclusion, particularly of women."

Nontobeko Lubisi, Director: Financial Inclusion, National Treasury, South Africa

According to Lubisi, policymakers must prioritise and address the product design offered by financial institutions to improve access to financing for women. "Moreover," she elaborated, "the government must strengthen the development of micro-financing institutions in its  financial inclusion strategy that is yet to be developed, as low-income individuals and small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) entrepreneurs are neglected by the major five commercial banks." Additionally, Lubisi affirmed that Africa requires a new generation of leaders who are aware of the gender disparities and are committed to eradicating the systemic challenges that plague the financial sector.

For Ayanda Mafoleka, Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Fasset), no single country in the world can claim to be gender equal. Mafoleka said that according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), it can take about three centuries before women can experience equal opportunities and financial inclusion. Mafoleka stated: "FASSET will pursue collaboration with relevant organisations to produce research-based solutions to speed up the inclusion of women, particularly those in the rural areas." The panel discussion explored the barriers and possible solutions to empower local economies in the continent.

Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, Thabo Mbeki Foundation Chairperson, announced that the Thabo Mbeki Presidential Centre is set to launch in 2025. She concluded: "The centre will be the knowledge arena to showcase the diverse history, culture and creativity of Africa to drive dialogue, promote research and innovation, and act as a vessel where the past, present and future will merge."

* By Dineo Khayemba, Journalist, Unisa Radio

** Photography by Shooheima Champion, Unisa Multimedia Centre