CONGRATULATIONS DR NKOSAZANA DLAMINI -ZUMA, well merited and deserved!
“I have received so many awards in my life time but the most fulfilling awards are those i receive from women” Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has made this statements twice this year – As honorable Awardee at the SHE MILLIONAIRE Empoweing Women Awards – Limpopo South Africa in November 2024 and recently at the WPS Forum Addis Ababa Ethiopia December 2024.
Women across the world who met in addis Ababa on the 5th high level Forum on women, peace and security Decemebr 5 – 6th join in to celebrate the one and only African women, leader and Voices of the Voiceless Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma for her life time achievement. She was honred for her resilient, hard work and contributions to African women’s voices to heard across the world. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was the first African woman who lead the South African Delegation to Beijing in 1995 and made huge impact about Africa’s womens right on the global platform.
A Short Overview about Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is a prominent South African politician, diplomat, and activist who has played a pivotal role in advancing women’s development in Africa. As a trailblazer in politics and governance, her contributions to women’s empowerment and development on the continent have been significant and multifaceted.
As a young universty girl, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s voice was already loud and clear as a strong advocate in the Black consciousness movement of 1976, Student movement in South Africa.
African Union Chairperson (2012–2017)
Dr. Dlamini-Zuma was the first woman to lead the African Union Commission (AUC). Her tenure focused on promoting the inclusion of women in leadership, peace, and security processes across Africa.
She spearheaded the Agenda 2063 framework, which emphasizes gender equality and women’s empowerment as critical pillars for Africa’s sustainable development.
Advancing Women’s Rights: Under her leadership, the African Union adopted policies to increase women’s participation in politics, decision-making, and conflict resolution. She was instrumental in integrating gender-responsive programs into AU initiatives.
She supported the establishment of platforms such as the African Women’s Leadership Network (AWLN) and FemWise-Africa, aimed at fostering women’s roles in peacebuilding and governance.
Health and Gender Advocacy: As South Africa’s Minister of Health (1994–1999), she implemented significant reforms to improve healthcare access, particularly for women and children, including the introduction of free healthcare for pregnant women and children under six.
She also championed the fight against gender-based violence and emphasized the intersection of health and gender equity.
Pan-African Advocacy: Dr. Dlamini-Zuma is a staunch advocate for Pan-Africanism and the empowerment of African women. She has consistently highlighted the need for women to take central roles in economic development, education, and governance.
During her tenure, she amplified women’s voices in continental forums, reinforcing the idea that women’s empowerment is essential for Africa’s progress.
Dr. Dlamini-Zuma’s work has inspired a generation of African women leaders. Her policies and advocacy have driven awareness of gender equality and created tangible pathways for women’s participation in key sectors. By integrating women-centric strategies into the AU’s agenda and national policies, she has left a lasting legacy in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Africa.
