South Africa Hosts G20 Women’s Empowerment Meeting Focused on the Care Economy

Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindiswa Chikunga. Picture: Twitter/Supplied.

JOHANNESBURG – The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) hosted the third Technical Meeting of the G20 Empowerment of Women Working Group (EWWG) at the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga province from 1 to 4 July.

As part of its leadership role within the G20 EWWG, South Africa is driving efforts to promote women's participation and representation in leadership, governance, and decision-making, while also advocating for greater ownership and control by women across economic and social sectors.

The summit brought together representatives from G20 member states, guest countries, civil society organisations, and technical experts to advance global dialogue and cooperation on gender equality and women’s empowerment. Themed “The Care Economy – Paid and Unpaid Care Work and Household Responsibilities”, the meeting placed care work at the centre of economic discussions.

Over the four days, delegates engaged in strategic, evidence-based sessions, including presentations and discussions on:

• The global care landscape, with a focus on recognising marginalised care relationships and exploring care work’s potential to create decent, inclusive employment.

• Cross-country experiences in implementing gender-responsive budgeting and national care policies: opportunities and challenges.

• Addressing gender-based violence and femicide.

• A proposed action plan for the financial inclusion of women.

• G20 efforts to mainstream gender in women’s economic empowerment globally.

• Gender equality as a cross-cutting issue across G20 Working Groups and Task Forces.

Speakers included the Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga; representatives from G20 member and guest countries; international organisations; academic and policy experts from the University of Cape Town, UN Women, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the World Health Organization (WHO); as well as delegates from civil society and G20 engagement groups, including Women 20 (W20) and Women Empower 20.

Minister Chikunga emphasised the summit's role in raising awareness about the often-overlooked contributions of women in society:

“The care economy refers to the unpaid work largely carried out by women at home, looking after children, caring for sick family members, washing dishes, cleaning, and more. This work significantly contributes to the functioning of the formal economy. None of us would be here without someone ensuring there was food on the table, a clean home, and ironed clothes. Behind the visible economy lies a care economy that remains unrecognised.”

WATCH: G20 Empowerment of Women Working Group (Courtesy of SABC)