The power of women’s collaboration in politics and leadership

Dr Devi Rajab explores the historical contributions of powerful women leaders worldwide and examines how female collaboration across political, religious, and ethnic lines can transform modern society. Drawing on inspiring examples from Africa and beyond, she makes a compelling case for women’s leadership as a catalyst for positive social change in South Africa

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NOBEL Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai showed her prize to a cheering crowd after she returned to Nairobi, from Norway, in 2004. JUDGE Navi Pillay has consistently championed international justice, truth-telling, and the protection of human dignity. WHISTLEBLOWER, Babita Deokaran, courageously flagged suspicious payments. Her murder underscores the deadly consequences of fighting against corruption in South Africa.

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IT GIVES me great pleasure to open this important annual conference with a message of support as Democracy Development Program (DDP) first women’s chair. Today, we are proud as an organisation promoting democracy at a regional and national level and to be spearheading the global call for women in politics and in positions of leadership across the globe.

From time immemorial, men have ruled the world. However. there have been some outstanding exceptions. Before Cleopatra’s reign 1 500 years ago, a remarkable woman led Egypt as king and pharaoh: Queen Hatshepsut.

Under her leadership, the kingdom opened up new trade routes, commissioned hundreds of important construction projects, and created an environment for innovation and experimentation — yet she was nearly erased from history. In biblical times, women led alongside men unobtrusively.

Deborah is a key figure in the Old Testament leading the Israelites to victory over the Canaanites while Khadija bint Khuwaylid, the first wife of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was one of the most accomplished businesswomen in history. She inherited her father’s trading empire at a time when women had limited financial and social agency, yet she successfully expanded her enterprise across the Arabian Peninsula. Her acumen was unmatched; she employed caravans of traders and established lucrative business ties.