Celebrate Women’s Day with Iziko Museums and the Women Lead Movement
For media images and interview requests, please contact: Zikhona Jafta at mediaofficer@iziko.org.za
On Tuesday, 9 August 2022, Iziko Museums of South Africa, in collaboration with the Women Lead Movement, Brand South Africa and Europa Art Group will commemorate Women’s Day with an interactive public engagement. Hosted at the Iziko Slave Lodge, the programme will include a tour of three exhibitions – Red in the Rainbow, Singing Freedom and Aluta Continua – that highlight the role of women in the fight against Apartheid.
The programme will also feature interactive discussions on thematic topics such as women’s political participation and decision making; economic participation and opportunities; combating gender-based violence and femicide and sexual and reproductive health and rights. The event will bring together women from diverse backgrounds across Cape Town to share their challenges, experiences and solutions in dealing with the most pressing issues confronting women in South Africa today.
“Women are an integral part in finding solutions for a sustainable future”, says Acting CEO of Brand South Africa, Ms. Sithembile Ntombela. “As society, we have to create enough opportunities and drive conversations that advocate for equality, empowering women across generations to play their part”
This commemoration, which is aligned to Brand South Africa’s mandate of positively positioning the nation’s cultural diversity, comes at a time when museums are transforming into sites of inter- and intra-generational conversations and dialogues – demonstrating the vital role museums play as locations of engagement and cultural diplomacy.
“Iziko remains driven to transform our sites through our research and curatorial practices, as well as our outreach and educational programmes. And in collaborating with the Women Lead Movement and Brand South Africa, we believe our work, the work of museums, can reach a broader audience and have a greater impact. Iziko looks forward to this Women’s Day public engagement and the museum’s contribution to finding and enacting solutions to the many issues facing South African women today,” says Ms Rooksana Omar, CEO, Iziko Museums of South Africa.
Melene Rossouw – Executive Director of Women Lead Movement added: “South Africa is often lauded as a country with the most progressive Constitution and laws to advance gender equality and women’s rights however the reality on the ground is a clear indication that we still have a long road ahead to deal with the systemic and structural inequalities women are still subjected to in society. They continue to face relentless exclusion, prejudice and discrimination driven by toxic social, cultural and religious norms which must be entirely eradicated. Women Lead Movement as a grassroots feminist movement believes in the power of collaboration and partnerships in dealing with these pervasive challenges and it is a privilege to join hands with Iziko Museums South Africa, Brand South Africa and Europa Art Group who are committed to the fight for gender equality. We look forward to many more progressive programmes to impact and transform the lives of women from all walks of life.”
Melina Lambrakis- CEO of Europa Art Group said: “Fashion is always inspired by designers around the world, but I look to Tory Burch as a role model as the most influential entrepreneur, designer and philanthropist. She as a woman embodies the spirit of strength and is also family oriented with a natural love for opulent fashion. Those core values are the same ethics and principles that I live by in a world where I believe innately that every person has a definitive purpose and lives every day with a grateful heart. Driven by my femininity and determination to empower women, Europa Art Group has a 90% female contingent both in shareholders, staff and management and constantly drives to educate, inspire and uplift females both in the fashion space and in other spheres”
For more information about the programme, please contact Dr Wandile Kasibe at wkasibe@iziko.org.za or on 021 481 3804.