Johannesburg, Tuesday, 14 October 2025 — The Women20 South Africa (W20 SA) Summit has concluded with a strong call to action for G20 leaders to prioritise key areas that impact the lives of women and girls globally. The summit’s communiqué outlines critical recommendations for G20 leaders to address pressing issues, such as: entrepreneurship and financial inclusion, the care economy, education, STEM, and the digital divide, climate justice, health equity, and violence against women and girls.
Click to Download the W20 SA Communiqué 2025
The W20 SA Communiqué 2025 is a culmination of deliberations by global leaders, researchers, policymakers, and civil society representatives who gathered at Vivari Hotel and Spa, Johannesburg, for the W20 Summit from Sunday, 12 October until Tuesday, 14 October 2025. The communiqué urges G20 leaders to take concrete actions to address the systemic inequalities and challenges faced by women and girls.
“We call on G20 leaders to prioritise the empowerment of women and girls by implementing policies and programmes that promote entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and access to education and healthcare,” said Prof Narnia Bohler-Muller, W20 SA Head of Delegation.
The communiqué was handed over to the Minister of Human Settlements, Honourable Thembisile Simelane, who will submit it to the Department of International Relations, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, and the Presidency for transmission to G20 leaders.
Speaking after receiving the communiqué, Minister Simelane said, as the only African country that is a permanent member of the G20, South Africa carries a unique and special responsibility. “We are the fourth in a powerful cycle of Global South presidencies, following Indonesia, India, and Brazil. This moment offers us the opportunity to bring the African Agenda, together with the priorities of the Global South, into the heart of global governance. Within the framework of the G20 Social Summit, we hold the Women Twenty in high regard.
“The receiving of this declaration is a testament to the power of collective voice and the urgency of coordinated action. It reflects the values we hold dear, equity, dignity, and solidarity, and it challenges us to move beyond rhetoric to measurable impact,” said Minister Simelane.
The full communiqué is available on the W20 SA web page at https://hsrc.ac.za/women20-communique/. All stakeholders are urged to read and engage with the recommendations outlined in the communiqué.
The W20 Summit Closing Plenary featured prominent voices in the development and women’s empowerment sectors. Apart from Minister Simelane, keynote speakers included Ms Aleta Miller, UN Women Representative in South Africa; Dr Okito Wedi, Crtve Development; and Ms Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Princess of Africa Foundation.
The W20 SA Summit, themed, Women in Solidarity towards a Just Future, aimed to advance gender equality and women’s economic empowerment by bringing together global leaders, researchers, policymakers, and civil society representatives.
As an official engagement group of the G20, Women20 (W20) promotes gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, and provides a platform for women from diverse backgrounds to advocate for policies and programmes that promote women’s economic empowerment and social justice.
Delegates from over 20 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Egypt, the European Union, France, Germany, Ghana, Japan, Kenya, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Nigeria, Lesotho, Zambia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Zimbabwe, attended the summit.
Click to Download the W20 SA Communiqué 2025
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For media enquiries, please contact Adziliwi Nematandani: Cell: +27 82 765 9191 Email: anematandani@hsrc.ac.za
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