Women, and Youth Parliamentarians Present Joint Declarations to the Summit

Women Parliamentarians and Young Parliamentarians have presented joint declarations and recommendations proposed for adoption by the P20 Summit, which would constitute a formal submission to the G20 Summit in Johannesburg in November.

The two lobby groups held formal two-day meetings in Kleinmond ahead of the 11th Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20), which started today. They considered issues that impacted their respective constituencies.

South Africa’s delegate, Ms Jane Mananiso, Chairperson of the Select Committee on Security and Justice, reported on behalf of the women parliamentarians and said the Joint Declaration (Charter of Cape Town) establishes clear objectives to advance women’s empowerment and their full equal, and meaningful participation in sustainable development. It will serve as a roadmap for building fairer societies.

In adopting the Charter, Women parliamentarians committed to advancing equal rights by aligning national laws with international standards, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women. There is also a commitment to gender-responsive budgeting by directing national resources towards gender equality, including in climate adaptation and disaster response and transforming care economies by recognising and investing in unpaid care work to unlock women’s full economic and leadership potential. Another commitment is to drive climate leadership by accelerating women’s participation in clean energy, sustainable agriculture and climate-smart technologies and working to end gender-based violence through strengthening legal protections, among other initiatives.

Ms Mananiso said the objectives represented a comprehensive commitment to legislative action, resource allocation and accountability. “This will transform the lives of women and girls globally.” She called on all G20 member parliaments to implement these objectives with urgency and determination.”

Another delegate representing young parliamentarians, Ms Andisiwe Kumbaca, a Member of the National Assembly, said the inaugural meeting noted with deep concern that young people remained under-represented in decision-making, with only 2.8 per cent of MPs worldwide under the age of 30.

“We affirm our belief that inclusive governance, youth-led innovation and multilateral cooperation are indispensable for shaping a fairer, more peaceful and sustainable world,” she said. The young parliamentarians, during their meeting, committed to several shared priorities, including global solidarity, addressing inequality, promoting sustainable development, climate action, and youth-orientated institutional reforms.

“We commit to mainstreaming youth perspectives in all policy processes and call upon the P20 Speakers’ Summit to establish a permanent P20 Meeting of Young Parliamentarians within the G20 framework,” Ms Kumbaca said. “We pledge to remain proactive agents of change, building bridges across nations and generations.”

She said the declaration, adopted by consensus, will be formally submitted to the 11th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit for consideration. “It reflects the resolve of young leaders to strengthen global solidarity, promote equality and advance sustainability in partnership with our senior counterparts,” said Ms Kumbaca. “Let this moment not be symbolic, but historic. Let it be the beginning of a permanent partnership between generations, one that combines the energy of youth with the wisdom of experience.” She said that young leaders do not seek to replace today’s leaders but instead want to stand beside them.

South Africa currently holds the presidency of the G20. The P20 Speakers Summit represents the parliamentary arm of the G20 and is designed to enhance legislative cooperation on global development challenges.

Sibongile Maputi
1 October 2025