“EQUALITY FOR WOMEN IS PROGRESS FOR ALL” Delegates Explanatory Note for the International Women’s Day Celebration Event Venue: The Farm Inn, Silver Lakes, Pretoria, Gauteng Date: 6 March 2015 0|P a ge Introduction The international Women’s Day (8 March) is a global day to honour, respect, show appreciation and love towards women and more importantly to celebrate women's economic, political, and social achievements in the past, present and future. It is also a day of reflecting on challenges women face towards achieving the goal of gender equality and highlighting issues that require further action. Zenande Leadership Consulting is organizing a conference on the 6th of March 2015 as a platform to develop, nurture and offer networking opportunities for women leaders. A similar conference was held on the 7th March 2014 and approximately 140 women attended. The 2015 conference takes place at the backdrop of the 20th Anniversary of the Platform for Action as adopted at the 1995 UN 4th World Conference in Beijing. The platform of action defines a policy framework and roadmap for achieving gender equality and women’s rights. The International theme this year is “Equality for women is progress for all” Objectives The International Women’s Day celebratory event has the following objectives: • Motivating and inspiring women to set their own agenda for equity change in South Africa; • Share best practices and tools on how to ensure individual effectiveness and presence as a leader; • Encouraging women in leadership positions to inspire their peers as well as young women to aspire to be influential and in decision making positions; and • Building a strong network of women in leaders to be active agents for change in the betterment of women in South Africa. Event Activities The programme offers a combination of high-powered speakers including an international panel, thematic working sessions, networking and pampering. 1|P age a) Event host: Vuyo Zitumane: Public Sector Renowned Turnaround Strategist, Leadership and Management Training Specialist, Coach and Mentor b) Guest Speaker: Minister Susan Shabangu. She is the Minister of Women Affairs in the Presidency and serves on the National Executive Council (NEC) of the African National Congress. She is also the former minister of Mineral Resources and also sat on the Board of Directors of the 2010 FIFA World Cup LOC. c) Keynote Speaker: Dr. Vuyo Mahlati is the President of International Women’s Forum South Africa, Member of the National Planning Commission and a Development Entrepreneur and Thought leader. Dr. Mahlati is serving as a member of several advisory councils including the Global Advisory Council of Corporate Women Directors International based in Washington DC. d) International Panel Facilitator: Deputy Minister Nomaindiya Mfeketo. She is a Deputy Minister of International Relations, she is a former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and former Mayor of the City of Cape Town. e) Parallel working sessions There will be five (5) parallel working sessions focusing on the following topics: Leading Strategy and Change in Organizations – Ms. Pam Yako Leading People and Teams – Ms Nobantu Mpotulo Leading in a Changing Economy - Ms. Preggs Govender Leading in the business world today – Ms Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo Leading Self – Ms Alicia Pieterse f) Exhibition and Showcasing: Organizations and individuals will be invited to showcase some of their offerings and products and these will include gender-based policies and programmes, women in leadership books; women in business tools and offerings, women beauty and health products and some retails products. g) Fun and Pampering: wellness and pampering activities will also be organized and participants will be encouraged to partake in these. In addition there will be some live music entertainment. 2|P age