Former President Thabo Mbeki says failure by African leaders to implement laws which seek to protect and promote women’s rights and empowerment, is a major indictment of the continent’s ability to embrace progressive policies.
Mbeki was addressing the closing ceremony of the Thabo Mbeki Africa Day lecture at the University of South Africa in Pretoria on Friday night. Director of UN Women and former deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka delivered the lecture, in which she challenged men to lead efforts to dismantle patriarchy.
Mbeki then urged African citizens to take action and push for the implementation of the African Union protocol on women’s rights and gender equality.
“We know what is wrong and we know that this African continent has correct policies to address this matter about gender equality. But what is missing is us in action, we need to come to a point of acting to make sure that the issue of women emancipation and gender equality is addressed. Our governments will not act until we the people act.”
