{"id":3482,"date":"2020-03-06T12:20:07","date_gmt":"2020-03-06T12:20:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gracamacheltrust.org\/?p=3482"},"modified":"2026-01-23T09:27:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T07:27:40","slug":"celebrating-powerful-women-there-is-enough-on-the-table-for-all-of-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.gbstudio.co.za\/gmt\/featured\/celebrating-powerful-women-there-is-enough-on-the-table-for-all-of-us\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating powerful women: there is enough on the table for all of us."},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cIf they refuse to make space for you at the table, then create your own table\u201d- Graca Machel<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In any setting a table may often be furniture that is overlooked as a mundane feature of the space that it occupies, it serves as a gathering place, for both people and things. If this is the power of a table then what happens then when crucial stakeholders are not invited, let alone consulted, on significant decisions that are to impact the overall society. The answer is: Inequality!\u00a0Our reality is, women are still dominated by patriarchy culture which exist within many social structures. Moreover, decision – making on crucial societal and economic developments have marginalised the agency of women and girls to exercise their rights and fulfil their potential. Nevertheless, a wave of women are rising to change the tides and usher in a movement that will see the building of a critical mass of women leaders who advocate and represent women\u2019s interest in key decision-making platforms.<\/p>\n

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“To be a powerful woman means to have the possibility, the right & responsibility to make choices that better oneself & better one’s community. Power is making a conscious effort in both your private & public spaces to tear down the walls of disrespect, discrimination and disenfranchisement wherever you meet it. Using your influence to create impact and better the lives of others- that is what being a powerful woman means to me”- Gra\u00e7a Machel.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This March, Forbes published its \u2018first -of -its -find\u201d compilation of Africa\u2019s leading women who are dominating the spheres of politics, business, science and the media, these women are the movers and shakers that are changing the narrative on women\u2019s representation in powerful positions. This speaks well to what we need to see in this Decade of Action where we are advocating for women\u2019s financial and economic inclusion, this has shown that we are not just ticking the boxes, we are taking action, women are sitting on the tables and are making it happen by closing the inequality gap.<\/p>\n

This is also how the media is taking charge and contributing to changing this narrative, thanks to Forbes Africa. In its research to come up with the 50 final list, Forbes used a metrics that looked into leadership, influence, consistency and impact. Our Founder, Gra\u00e7a Machel, was one of the women that was celebrated in this issue and she shared with Forbes, the journey \u00a0that took her to the founding of the Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust ten years ago. She said, \u201cThe Trust came as an effort to fill a gap, I have been involved with the political promotion of women\u2019s rights, but I felt in the economic sphere, there were no organisations focusing on enhancing the capabilities of women in the formal sector. So I decided to establish the Trust\u201d.<\/p>\n

This comes at a very critical moment when the world is celebrating international Women\u2019s Day this week. This year the theme for the United Nations International Women\u2019s Day 2020 is, “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women\u2019s Rights.” This comes after an emerging global consensus that says that despite some progress, real change has been agonizingly slow for the majority of women and girls in the world. Today, not a single country can claim to have achieved gender equality. Multiple obstacles remain unchanged in law and in culture. Women and girls continue to be undervalued; they work more and earn less and have fewer choices; and experience multiple forms of violence at home and in public spaces. Furthermore, there is a significant threat of rollback of hard-won feminist gains.<\/p>\n

The United Nations theme of Generation Equality: Realizing Women\u2019s Rights really speak to what we as a Trust are doing. This year see\u2019s us as an organisation turn 10 years old. In observing this milestone, the Trust has launched an Expanding Equality Initiative aimed at convening key stakeholders to re-energize engagement and catalyze accelerated policy action to drive the advancement of women and children in Africa.\u00a0Through the initiative we hope to connect the Trust\u2019s existing networks, and partners, as well as establish new partnerships for the purposes of Expanding Equality across multisectoral collaborators<\/p>\n

This article is a call to action to all the women in the world who are fighting against the grain and bringing impactful change in their corner of the world. May this list of Forbes 50 of Africa\u2019s leading women remind us all of the great outcomes that emerge which we push for change. Change comes hand in hand with resistance \u2013 instead of the resistance deterring us from completing the task at hand, may it instead courage us as it will serve as an indication that we are doing something right.<\/p>\n

Here are five things we need to remember from Graca Machel\u2019s interview with Forbes Africa.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

What made you start the Graca Machel Trust, which is celebrating its tenth year?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Trust came as an effort to fill a gap, I have been involved with the political promotion of women\u2019s rights, but I felt in the economic sphere, there were no organisations focusing on enhancing the capabilities of women in the formal sector. So I decided to establish the Trust…<\/p>\n

What are some of the challenges facing female entrepreneurs in accessing funding?<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are too many. There are still countries on this continent where if a women has to start a business, she has to have permission from her husband. We are working to remove that kind of barrier. Women are not children; they are adults that know what they want to do. They should be recognised with their dignity and to start a business whenever they feel like it…<\/p>\n

What are your opinions of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement coming into force this year?<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s extremely welcomed. It came at a time when the conversation within the African Union is about [launching] an African passport and removing barriers. It\u2019s important to create those instruments which materialize what we have been saying for decades \u201cwe are one\u201d. Now, you need to facilitate transport, trade and broader \u2013 crossing for those in the informal economy…<\/p>\n

How would you describe a powerful woman in 2020?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I struggle to understand the issue of power because, speaking for myself, I do care [about] being powerful. People say I am powerful but I care more about impactful \u2013 in the work I do with children, adolescents, women or even institutions. Those who observe can say, \u2018you are powerful,\u2019 but it doesn\u2019t come from me to say I am powerful…<\/p>\n

What is next for Mama Graca Machel?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I want to consolidate the institutions I established. I want them to be strong enough to allow me to gradually \u2018retire from retirement\u2019 as Madiba would say. My energy will be reducing and by the time I decide I will not be at the head of my own institutions; I want them to carry on without feeling any kind of difference because of my absence…<\/p>\n

Happy International Women\u2019s Day to all you powerhouse women in the world!<\/p>\n

May we always remember that #Aluta Continua!<\/p>\n

To access the full article follow this link<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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