Since the national elections in 1994 (which ushered in democracy), the South African government has taken a special interest in women’s rights and their empowerment. As was (is) often the case in America, women have often struggled in a male-dominated marketplace. Regardless of their skills, talents, and abilities, all too often they encountered the glass ceiling, even outright gender discrimination.

It is one thing to know the struggles of a people group, it is quite another thing to have the skills to do something about those struggles and challenges. During the first 10 years of democracy in South Africa, it has become abundantly clear that truly moving beyond the barefoot-and-pregnant-in-the-kitchen era requires much more than lip service; it requires deliberate action.

Every August, during National Women’s Month, we host Women in Leadership symposia in numerous venues across the country. More than simply propagating hope and encouragement, we are committed to equip, enable, and empower the women of South Africa—our mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters—with practical tools and useful skills to believe in themselves, turn their dreams into realities, and be all that they can be!