African legislatures have been called upon to seize the historic opportunity presented by the upcoming G20 Speakers’ Summit (P20) to enhance the status of women and youth across the continent. During a joint consultative meeting between the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and the Parliament of South Africa—held in preparation for the P20 Symposium for African Speakers of Parliament scheduled for July 28—presiding officers from both institutions, along with African women and youth parliamentarians, expressed a shared belief: this is Africa’s moment, and African women and youth must capitalize on it.
H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the Pan-African Parliament, urged African parliaments to use the platform provided by South Africa’s hosting of the P20 Summit to ensure youth and women’s issues are prominently featured.
“We must capitalise on the forthcoming P20 Summit—which precedes the G20 Summit scheduled to take place in South Africa in November—to elevate the voices of young people and women, and use this significant platform to address the challenges they face,” he stated.
Hon. Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, underscored the historic significance of South Africa hosting the P20, describing it as a unique opportunity for African parliaments to place gender equality and Africa’s priorities at the centre of global discourse. She urged parliaments to pursue a women-centred agenda, dismantle exclusionary laws, and advance transformative parliamentary diplomacy.
Referencing scholars such as Oyeronke Oyewumi and Angela Davis, Hon. Mtshweni-Tsipane emphasised the urgency of confronting structural inequalities rooted in colonial and modern systems that continue to marginalise women. She highlighted the P20 as a strategic platform for sharing legislative best practices, advancing gender-sensitive policies, and advocating for stronger investment in women’s empowerment across sectors such as climate action, health, education, and trade.
Hon. Dr. Annelie Lotriet described South Africa’s G20 Chairship and hosting of the P20 Summit in 2025 as not merely a diplomatic milestone, but a historic opportunity to place gender equality and women’s empowerment firmly on the global agenda.
“For us, as African women leaders, this is not just symbolic. It is an open door to influence, to speak boldly, and to ensure that our voices are no longer on the periphery of global discourse—but at the very centre,” she said.
She explained that the P20 platform would provide African women with a unique opportunity for knowledge exchange on legislative development, gender equality monitoring, and inclusive governance. It would also be critical for mobilising investment in climate resilience, healthcare, education, and economic empowerment.
Hon. Dahi Laila, Chairperson of the Pan-African Parliament Caucus on Youth, stressed the indispensable role of young people in shaping Africa’s future.
“Listening to and engaging youth is crucial, as no decision on the continent can be made without involving them,” she declared.
She highlighted the myriad challenges confronting African youth, including unemployment, poor access to quality education, lack of viable migration pathways, political exclusion, rising extremism, and weak social justice systems. Hon. Laila also recognised the resilience and aspirations of youth with disabilities and underscored the importance of their full inclusion in policymaking processes. She called on both the South African Parliament and the Pan-African Parliament to develop a concrete, actionable plan by October to support employment creation and vocational training across the continent.
Youthful South African MP, Hon. Andisiwe Kumbaca, also addressed the joint session, highlighting the critical opportunity the P20 presents for youth-focused parliamentary diplomacy.
“It is both an honour and a privilege to speak to you today as a proud young Member of Parliament from the Republic of South Africa and, more importantly, as a young African leader committed to the cause of youth empowerment and inclusive development,” she said.
Hon. Kumbaca pointed to Africa’s demographic advantage, noting that over 60% of the continent’s population is under the age of 25, and that Africa is projected to have the world’s largest working-age population by 2050.
The Parliament of the Republic of South Africa will host the 11th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20)—a gathering of Speakers and Presiding Officers from G20 member countries—at the Arabella Hotel in Kleinmond, outside Cape Town, from 29 September to 3 October 2025.
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