South Africa is set to host the inaugural Generation Equality Leaders Retreat for the Action Coalition on Economic Justice and Rights (EJR) from 3 to 5 May 2023. The retreat is being held at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and will bring together a diverse range of stakeholders, including government representatives, civil society organizations, the private sector, academia, and grassroots organizations.
The Generation Equality movement is a global initiative that seeks to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment by addressing the most pressing challenges facing women and girls. Its six Action Coalitions, launched in 2021 under the Global Acceleration Plan 2021-2026, aim to deliver immediate and concrete actions in areas such as economic justice and rights, bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The EJR Action Coalition is one of these six coalitions and focuses on promoting economic justice and rights for women and girls in all their diversity. The retreat will provide an opportunity for the 17 Leaders of the EJR Action Coalition to engage on strategic priorities and to network and forge relationships with various stakeholders, including Generation Equality Commitment Makers and local partners working in South Africa.
The event will be attended by several high-profile figures, including Ms Nthabiseng Malefane, South Africa’s Focal Point on #GenerationEquality; Ms Aleta Miller, UN Women Representative in the South Africa Multi Country Office; Ms Jemima Njuki, Chief of Economic Empowerment at the UN Women Headquarters; and Mr Zaheer Laher, Chief Director: UN (Political) within DIRCO.

The retreat will play a crucial role in advancing the EJR Action Coalition’s goals and objectives and will serve as an important platform for generating new ideas and partnerships. It is a critical step towards achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment and demonstrates the commitment of South Africa and its partners to this important cause.
