Sonke Gender Justice together with Global Affairs Canada (GAC) launched the Inkanyezi project in the Eastern Cape in June 2023, with 11 stakeholders and over 100 participants present at the launch. The Inkanyezi (Zulu term for “bright shining star) Project is a targeted gender equality project that aims to transform gender and power relations and seek institutional and societal change in support of gender equality and women’s leadership in decision-making. The project is implemented to build on existing interventions and partnerships in the Amathole East District of the Eastern Cape Province, as well as the Ehlanzeni District of Mpumalanga Province. Using a feminist and human rights-based approach to achieving gender equality, the Inkanyezi Project will strengthen the ability of women leaders from political, traditional and religious structures to influence local decision-making processes, especially with respect to laws, policies and customs relevant to women’s rights, leadership and GBV.
