Advocacy for Women, Breaking Barriers, Empowering Women, Female Leaders, Gender Equality, Gender Parity, Leadership, Uncategorized, Women Empowerment, Women Entrepreneurs

Honouring Mandela’s Legacy by Uplifting Women

Posted on by Nasi Hako
18
Jul

As long as women are bound by poverty and as long as they are looked down upon, human rights will lack substance… as long as outmoded ways of thinking prevent women from making a meaningful contribution to society, progress will be slow.” — Nelson Mandela

Each year on July 18, we pause to celebrate Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding father of our democracy and a tireless advocate for equality for all. Mandela understood that true liberation could not be achieved if women remained oppressed, and he consistently used his voice and platform to champion the rights of women, both during and after apartheid.

“Freedom cannot be achieved unless women have been emancipated from all forms of oppression,” he famously declared in 1994.

He surrounded himself with women who were fierce, intelligent, and driven—women who led movements, fought injustice and nurtured resilience into the very fibre of South Africa’s democracy.

To honour Mandela’s legacy, we must also honour the women who fought beside him and those who continue to lead today. Because as long as women remain bound by poverty, violence, and limited opportunity, human rights “will lack substance.”

A long road to gender equality

When I think of the women who helped shape South Africa’s democracy, I think of the indomitable Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who carried the resistance through the darkest days; the bold and brilliant Miriam Makeba, our Mama Africa, whose voice echoed the cries for justice across continents; Albertina Sisulu, a nurse and activist whose quiet strength helped shape the future of South Africa; Helen Suzman, a lone voice in parliament for 13 years; and Lilian Ngoyi, a trade unionist and political leader, who led 20,000 women in protest against pass laws. These women weren’t just supporting acts, they were architects of change.

While the continent has made major strides since the days of apartheid and colonial rule, African women continue to face deeply rooted inequalities. Across sub-Saharan Africa, women make up nearly 70% of the informal economy, with limited access to financial services or legal protection. According to the World Bank, only 58% of women in Africa participate in the labour force, a number lower than that of men, and they are more likely to be unpaid or underpaid for the same work.

The numbers point to the ongoing need for structural transformation and gender-sensitive policy reform.

Yet perhaps the most insidious barrier lies in perception, societal norms that still place women on the periphery of power and leadership. Without access to education, capital, or networks of influence, many women are still excluded from the spaces where decisions about their lives are made.

Women who are rewriting the story

Despite the odds, African women are rising and redefining what leadership looks like. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s former finance minister, now heads the World Trade Organization, becoming the first African and first woman to do so. Her work proves that African women belong at the highest global economic tables.

Closer to home, Dr Judy Dlamini, a South African businesswoman, medical doctor, and chancellor of Wits University, has consistently used her influence to advocate for inclusion and women’s empowerment in both education and enterprise.

From entrepreneurs building tech start-ups in Kigali to rural leaders running green agriculture initiatives in Limpopo, women across Africa are actively shaping the continent’s future. They are not waiting to be invited: They are creating space, lifting others and demanding that their voices be heard.

As we celebrate Nelson Mandela’s legacy, let us honour the women who made his dream a reality and those who continue to carry that dream forward.

Let us commit to doing more than remembering history, let us shape the future.

Be part of the movement.

Join us at the WomenIN Festival 2025 from 13-14 November 2025, where bold ideas, impactful conversations, and limitless women come together to drive change.

🎟️ Tickets from R1499: www.wearewomenin.com/win-festival

Uncategorized

Empowering Women in the Mining Industry in Africa: A New Era Is Here 

Posted on by Lauren Rose-Innes
WomenIN picture
02
Jul

Let’s be honest—when most people think of the mining industry, they don’t picture a woman leading a team down a shaft, sitting at the decision-making table, or designing innovative solutions to transform the sector. But across Africa, that image is changing. And fast. 

At WomenIN, we believe in rewriting the script—and women in mining are doing exactly that. From the copper belts of Zambia to the goldfields of South Africa, from Nigeria’s emerging lithium sector to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) cobalt-rich regions, women are stepping forward, shaking things up, and showing us all what’s possible when boldness meets opportunity. 

The Ground is Shifting 

Historically, mining has been a male-dominated industry built on tradition, hierarchy, and exclusion. But African women have always had grit. They’ve always known how to navigate tough terrain. Now, more than ever, they’re being seen, heard, and celebrated. 

Thanks to Women in Mining networks, forward-thinking mining companies, and women-led advocacy, more women are entering the industry—not just as employees, but as engineers, safety officers, sustainability specialists, entrepreneurs, and CEOs. And they’re not asking for permission—they’re building new pathways for the next generation. 

In the DRC—home to the world’s largest reserves of cobalt—women have been on the frontlines of artisanal mining, often under dangerous and informal conditions. Now, with global attention turning toward responsible sourcing and ethical supply chains, there’s a powerful opportunity to uplift and protect these women, not only as workers but as rights-holders, innovators, and leaders. 

In Nigeria, as the government diversifies from oil to mining—with increasing investments in gold, lithium, and iron ore—there is growing potential to build an inclusive industry from the ground up. Nigerian women are already showing up as geologists, environmental experts, and policy influencers, pushing for gender-smart policies and local empowerment. 

Why This Matters 

When women rise, entire communities rise with them. 

Empowering women in mining doesn’t just benefit the individual—it boosts economies, strengthens sustainability, and improves decision-making across the board. Women tend to reinvest into their families and communities, meaning their leadership creates ripples of change. 

It’s about more than employment. It’s about equity, dignity, and representation in an industry that plays a massive role in Africa’s development story. 

Meet the Change-Makers 

From trailblazers like Daphne Mashile-Nkosi in South Africa, to women advocating for ethical mining practices in the DRC, to young Nigerian women breaking into tech-driven exploration—these are the voices reshaping the mining landscape. 

We see you. 
We celebrate you. 
We stand with you. 

These women are not just breaking glass ceilings; they’re cracking rocks and building futures. 

The Road Ahead 

Let’s be real—progress doesn’t mean perfection. Gender-based violence, unequal pay, limited access to leadership, and informal mining risks are still part of the daily reality. But that’s exactly why we need to keep showing up. 

We’re not here for the status quo. 
We’re here for transformation, inclusion, and a mining sector that works for everyone. 

Join the Movement 

At WomenIN, we’re not just about celebrating women—we’re about connecting them across industries, countries, and causes. Whether you’re a woman on the ground in Katanga, a policy advocate in Abuja, or an investor looking to back meaningful change—we’ve created a space for you. 

Let’s keep amplifying. 
Let’s keep investing. 
Let’s keep breaking new ground—together. 

Career Development, Collaborative Growth, Empowering Women, Uncategorized

Empowering the Next Generation: Women Supporting Youth Entrepreneurship

Posted on by Lauren Rose-Innes
11
Jun

Empowering the Next Generation: Women Supporting Youth Entrepreneurship

At WomenIN, we believe in the power of connection—how one conversation, one opportunity, or one woman showing up for another can shape the future.

This same spirit lies at the heart of youth entrepreneurship. Across the continent and beyond, young people are daring to create, disrupt, and lead. But behind so many of these bright ideas and bold ventures are women—mentors, leaders, funders, and supporters—who are quietly (and sometimes loudly) cheering them on, opening doors, and saying, “You’ve got this.”

And that changes everything.

Youth entrepreneurship is not just a trend—it’s a movement.

Today’s young people are more purpose-driven than ever. They’re building apps to improve education in rural communities, launching eco-conscious fashion brands, and designing tech solutions that solve real social challenges. They’re not waiting for permission. They’re building the world they want to live in.

But even the boldest ideas need support. For many youth entrepreneurs, especially those navigating under-resourced environments, the journey can feel isolating. That’s where women come in—not as saviours, but as partners in possibility.

Women as mentors: showing what’s possible by being present

There’s something powerful about hearing, “I’ve been there too.” Women who have walked the path of building businesses, navigating failure, and growing through it all, are now reaching back to guide the next generation. These mentorships aren’t always formal—they often begin as a coffee chat or a DM reply—but the impact is lasting.

It’s the kind of support that says: “You’re not alone. Keep going.”

Women-led platforms and programmes are creating the space for youth to thrive

We’re seeing more and more women establishing spaces where young entrepreneurs can learn, collaborate, and grow. From incubators led by women in tech, to community programmes run by women in rural areas, there’s a rising wave of women building the very structures young people need to succeed.

They’re creating rooms where young entrepreneurs don’t just have a seat at the table—they feel like they belong there.

Women investing in youth is investing in the future

Let’s talk about the money. More women are stepping into investment spaces and asking: Who’s missing from the funding conversation? Often, it’s youth-led ventures—especially those outside traditional networks. Women investors are changing that by backing bold, mission-driven young founders and challenging the status quo of who gets funded.

They’re not just looking at the pitch deck—they’re seeing the person behind it.

This is how we build legacy—together

The support women offer today is shaping the leaders of tomorrow. And it’s not always about grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s simply amplifying a young person’s work on LinkedIn, introducing them to someone in your network, or giving honest feedback when they need it most.

At WomenIN, we see these acts of support happening every day across our community. And we’re reminded that when women rise, they lift others too.

Because when a young entrepreneur believes in her idea, and a woman believes in her, the possibilities are limitless.

Collaborative Growth, Empowering Women, Female Leaders, Gender Equality, Leadership, Uncategorized, Women Empowerment

Building a united Africa: A call for gender-inclusive leadership

Posted on by Nasi Hako
28
May

Read more
Women’s History Month: Let’s make history, together!

Women: The catalyst for unity in Africa we’ve been looking for?

Read more
Why Women Must Collaborate: Because Together, We Are Unstoppable!

Women making waves in Africa

Advocacy for Women, Breaking Barriers, Diversity and Inclusion, Gender Equality, Gender Parity, Leadership, Uncategorized, Women Empowerment, Women in Leadership, Work-Life Balance

The business case for working mothers: Debunking the mother of all myths

Posted on by Nasi Hako
14
May

Somehow, along the way, society adopted a troubling stereotype: that when women become mothers, they become less valuable in the workplace and are, in turn, more of a liability than an asset. However, research tells a different story.

Instead of hindering professional performance, motherhood often enhances it. In fact, a foreign study by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis found that working mothers often bring unique strengths and perspectives that companies would do well to celebrate, not sideline.

South African women have participated in the formal workforce for over a century, and only within the last three decades have they received meaningful legal protection from workplace discrimination related to childbearing. Thanks to the country’s progressive constitution, the Labour Relations Act of 1995, and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act of 1997, women are now safeguarded from being dismissed or treated unfairly because they choose to have children. These laws have significantly shifted how employers treat and think about working mothers.

In recent years, we’ve even seen the rise of “pumping rooms” in office spaces: designated private areas where breastfeeding employees can express milk comfortably. These small but powerful changes reflect a growing understanding that supporting mothers at work isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s a smart investment.

Yet, despite all this progress, the gender gap in South Africa remains stubborn and so do the stereotypes. The idea that working mothers can’t be fully committed to their jobs continues to shape hiring, promotion, and workplace culture in subtle and not-so-subtle ways.

Working motherhood: A double-edged sword

What working mothers really bring to the table

Celebrating working mothers beyond mother’s day