Outcome ZAF_D_7.2

By 2025, women and marginalized groups participate meaningfully in decision-making processes and access justice

In 2025, UN Women supported meaningful participation of women and marginalized groups in decision-making and access to justice through strengthened policy engagement, capacity building, and inclusive dialogue platforms at national and community levels. Women leaders, youth, grassroots organizations, and marginalized groups actively engaged in policy consultations, multi-stakeholder dialogues, and justice-related forums, influencing the development and localization of key frameworks such as the Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan II, Beijing+30 commitments, and G20/W20 policy processes. Subsequently women’s perspectives were integrated into national policy recommendations, and marginalized voices particularly young women, rural women, and survivors of gender-based violence were amplified in discussions on peace, economic governance, and human rights. Access to justice was strengthened through capacity-building for civil society and implementing partners, improved referral pathways, and increased awareness of legal rights and accountability mechanisms. These interventions contributed to greater inclusion, agency, and influence of women and marginalized groups in governance and justice systems, advancing gender-responsive decision-making and reinforcing accountability for gender equality commitments. Table 1 Below outline areas where UN Women supported Area Example Results Decision-making Women and youth leaders contributed to national policy dialogues (WPS NAP II, Beijing+30, G20/W20), influencing policy priorities and action plans Marginalized groups Rural women, young feminists, and GBV survivors participated in consultations and advocacy platforms, ensuring community realities informed national frameworks Access to justice CSOs and partners strengthened capacity on legal frameworks, referral systems, and survivor-centered approaches Institutional impact Gender-responsive recommendations adopted in national planning and governance processes

By 2025, women and marginalized groups participate meaningfully in decision-making processes and access justice

The Violence against Women and girls (VAWG) and HIV are interconnected public health and human rights challenges in Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. These issues are exacerbated by structural inequalities, cultural norms, and limited access to healthcare and justice systems. Within this context, there is a need to scale up the HeforShe dialogues as a meaningful and sustainable platform to engage men and boys in tackling harmful norms as well as holding community leaders accountable for the high prevalence of GBVF and HIV in their communities. UN Women also recognizes the need to diversify its partnership base and leverage its convening role to support multi-partner advocacy strategies, platforms and dialogues between governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to address violence against women in all supported countries (South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Eswatini and Lesotho) Therefore, UN Women will continue to deepen its relationships with existing partners, build on its historic relationship with feminist and women’s movements, and expand new partnerships, including with men and boys, the private sector, the media, and research institutions