We are the ones we’ve been waiting for

South African Women in Dialogue (SAWID) is an inclusive, non-partisan and non-for-profit organisation committed to representing and amplifying the voices of South African women on all platforms where decisions are made that impact on their lives.

SAWID Africa We are the ones we've been waiting for

WHO WE ARE

WHO WE ARE

South African Women in Dialogue (SAWID) is an inclusive, non-partisan, and not-for-profit organisation committed to representing the voices of South African women on all platforms. LEARN MORE >>

WHAT WE DO

WHAT WE DO

SAWID drives the women’s agenda by providing a platform for inclusive dialogues, policy advocacy, facilitating women’s economic empowerment and agency, as well as conducting research and knowledge management. LEARN MORE >>

HOW WE DO IT

HOW WE DO IT

We improve the position of women by engaging national government, the private sector, civil society and donors in partnerships to shape agendas and influence policy development. LEARN MORE >>

OUR PARTNERS

SAWID No Voice Unheard
SAWID No Voice Unheard Alt

Leave no voice unheard or silenced

We shouldn’t still be fighting for fundamental rights for women in Africa. SAWID stands on the frontline against poverty, marginalisation and vulnerability, to create a brighter future for women of today’s generation and those to come.

What we won’t stand for

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Persistent gaps in the Constitution that deliberately work against women

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Inadequate relief interventions that fail to focus on self-reliance

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Lack of data-driven understanding, resulting in inaccurate recommendations and strategies

SAWID empowers women to become the agents of their own development

SAWID invites South African and African women, and fellow ambassadors for the empowerment of women, to unite in diversity and take action for a better future

SAWID How We Do It

Building SAWID's institutional capacity

Strengthening the SAWID machinery (Leadership and managerial capacity, financial competency & resource sustainability, systems and policies) to drive the women’s Agenda. 

Inclusive dialogues with healing and training & policy advocacy

Starting in the home, our Peace, Healing and Family Development programme helps women to lay the foundations for household resilience, constructive dialogue and long-term change.

WOMEN ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT & AGENCY

By partnering with local and global change-makers, such as WDB Trust, UN Women, Gender Links, SALGA, UP and UNISA, our dialogue, relief and empowerment initiatives are backed by leaders in strategic planning and execution.

Research and knowledge management

Our intensive and ongoing research works to uncover the intricacies of vulnerable and indigent communities, so as to design and execute powerful, tailored strategies based on real evidence.

South African Women Championing Change

South African Women in Dialogue (SAWID) is an independent South African women’s
platform committed to hearing the voice of every woman and to improving the status of
women by engaging national government, the private sector, civil society, (including non-
governmental organisations, community-based organisations, faith-based organisations
and donors) in partnership to shape community, provincial and continental agendas.

Provinces.

SAWID works through 9 volunteer Provincial Coordinators and YSAWID Coordinators in every province.

Years.

SAWID is proud of its first 20 years representing and amplifying the voices of women on decision making platforms.

Attendees.

More than 20, 000 women have attended dialogues, workshops, seminars and roundtables since 2003.

Celebrating 20 years of change

2023 is the year that we mark two decades of dialogue and tangible
healing and transformation for women, families and communities in
South Africa. We commemorate this tremendous milestone in
September 2023 – find out more about our 20-year celebration!

events

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news

Why Civil Society needs to play a bigger role

Why Civil Society needs to play a bigger role

We hear from all quarters of the country that we are in a state of crisis. Increasingly, the term “failed state” comes to the fore due to disarray in which national and local government, business and ordinary citizens find themselves.

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Youth Dialogue Commission: Finding a new generation of leaders in public service

Youth Dialogue Commission: Finding a new generation of leaders in public service

To wrap up Youth Month, a session regarding youth participation within local government structures was held given the low turnout of young people at the previous local government election. The aim of the session was also to prepare and capacitate the next cohort of public officials navigate the service delivery crisis. This session also discussed the importance of youth development programmes at municipal level.

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WE NEED TO PRACTICE WHAT WE PREACH.
ONE CANNOT EXPECT INTEGRITY FROM OTHERS UNLESS
LEADERS CONFORM TO THE HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS.

Dr. Frene Ginwala