Maureen Sibanda Shonge

Human Rights Lawyer, Gender, Governance and Women’s Peace and Security.views are my own, retweets not endorsements.

[UN Women South Africa @unwomenSA]

Convened by @FemnetProg @WALPEAfrica w/ support from partners incl. @unwomenafrica the Inaugural High-Level Annual Conference on Gender & Elections in Africa brought together former, current & aspiring women leaders from around the continent to reflect & strategize.

#TryWomen

[UN Women South Africa @unwomenSA]

Who gets to lead & compete? What must change for women to participate equally in elections?

At #COGE2026 in Johannesburg, leaders are advancing solutions to strengthen women’s political leadership & build more inclusive, gender-responsive electoral systems.
#TryWomen #TrustWoemn

[Maureen Sibanda Shonge @sibandashonge]

Happening today !

[WALPE Africa @WALPEAfrica]

Our next set of powerhouse speakers at #COGE2026 are Maureen Shonge, the UN Women Regional Policy Specialist for Women’s Political Participation in East & Southern Africa, and Esther Tawiah, the Founder & Executive Director of @GenCEDgh

#TryWomen

[UN Women South Africa @unwomenSA]

The meals, school runs, appointments.
Care work is physically, emotionally & mentally demanding - and often unequal.

Care is everyone’s responsibility. This #InternationalDayOfCareAndSupport let’s #ShareTheCare.

🔗 Learn more: https://t.co/Adsmb69lhi

🎨Marie Anny Bertsch

[UN Women Africa @unwomenafrica]

Investing in women’s political leadership is an investment in stronger institutions, better governance and sustainable development outcomes.
#SystemChange #ForAllWomenAndGirls #GenderEquality

[UN Women Africa @unwomenafrica]

@unwomenkenya @unwomenethiopia @UNWMozambique @UNWomen_Somalia @unwomenmalawi @KEWOPA @ENAfricaFDN @ARDCZW @YoungWomenInst When citizens have opportunities to engage in legislative and policy processes, governance becomes more transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of women and girls across the region.
#SystemChange #WomenLead #ForAllWomenAndGirls

[UN Women Africa @unwomenafrica]

@unwomenkenya @unwomenethiopia @UNWMozambique @UNWomen_Somalia @unwomenmalawi @KEWOPA @ENAfricaFDN @ARDCZW @YoungWomenInst Women cannot lead effectively if they are silenced through intimidation, harassment or violence.
As part of the Training, participants examined how induction programmes can equip women leaders with strategies to navigate & challenge these barriers. #NoExcuse #ForAllWomenAndGirls

[UN Women Africa @unwomenafrica]

This week's Regional Training of Trainers on Legislative Induction is strengthening the capacity of #GenderEquality advocates & trainers to support legislative inductions for effective lawmaking, oversight & representation, to advance gender-responsive institutions.
#SystemChange

[Maureen Sibanda Shonge @sibandashonge]

Let women lead ; Women can lead

[UNDP Zambia @UNDPZambia]

Today in Lusaka: The Accelerated Women’s Political Participation and Leadership Conference begins.

Women’s political participation is a democratic right. Conversations on leadership, reform & action ahead of Zambia’s 2026 elections.

Join online:https://t.co/lqz6wLD0G1

#SDG5

[Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center @EJSCenter]

How many women serve as Chief Justice across Africa's 54 nations?

Five.

🇿🇦 Chief Justice Mandisa Maya
🇳🇬 Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun
🇰🇪 Chief Justice @CJMarthaKoome
🇷🇼 Chief Justice Domitilla Mukantaganzwa
🇲🇺 Chief Justice Rehana Mungly-Gulbul

On this International Day of Women Judges, we celebrate each one of them and call for many more women judges to rise to the highest seats of justice across the continent.
@RwandaJudiciary @Kenyajudiciary @OCJ_RSA
#InternationalDayOfWomenJudges #WomenJudges #Africa #AccessToJustice #EJSCenter

[UN Women Africa @unwomenafrica]

Partnerships that deliver for women power Africa forward! @UNWomen Deputy Executive Director @vanyaradzayi met with Hon. Justice Nthomeng Majara, Deputy Prime Minister of Lesotho, to strengthen collaboration on advancing the rights of women and girls @MHouinato @mpoumoudoris

[Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda @vanyaradzayi]

As @UN_Women delegation to @_AfricanUnion #39AUSummit, we were honoured to give recognition to President of Ghana H.E @JDMahama as a #HeForShe with the special pin. The President is the Gender Champion for the African Union. This was during the High Level Breakfast Meeting that @AU_WGYD, Government of Ghana and @UN Women co-hosted. I was honoured to deliver the @UN_Women statement and bring greetings fromthe Executive Director, Dr Sima Bahous.

@unwomenAU @unwomenafrica

[Maureen Sibanda Shonge @sibandashonge]

What a phenomenal conversation !

[African Union @_AfricanUnion]

A continent that empowers its women leaders strengthens its institutions, deepens democracy, and accelerates development under #Agenda2063.

Join the conversation and share your ideas on how we can strengthen and support the next generation of African women leaders.

[UN Women Africa @unwomenafrica]

📍What does transformation leadership led by women look like in Africa today?
Transformative governance personified! @unwomenAU has one of the most powerful fireside chats in our continent at the #AUSummit2026 today. Looking forward to the engagement! @vnyaradzayi

[UN Women Liaison Office to the AU & UNECA @unwomenAU]

“Your resilience and leadership on the frontlines of gender equality inspire us all. Let’s continue to soldier on, advancing the rights of women and girls across Africa" @vanyaradzayi with words of counsel for the UN Women work teams in Ethiopia

[UN Women Liaison Office to the AU & UNECA @unwomenAU]

❤️Moments that matter
❤️Voices that inspire
❤️Futures reimagined
These are positive steps towards courageous leadership in complex times that involves inclusive governance for sustainable growth. #ForAllWomenandGirls #AUSummit2026

[AWLNetwork @AWLNetwork]

On the margins of the 39th AU Summit, the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) will convene its Elders High-Level Meeting. This strategic platform will mobilize former Heads of State, senior African women leaders, AU institutions, the UN, and key partners to accelerate women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in leadership and decision-making across the continent

🗓 13 February 2026
🕠 17:30-19:30 EAT
📍 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

This high-level dialogue will elevate continental priorities, reinforce the Peace & Security Pillar, and strengthen coordinated partnerships around the Women, Peace and Security agenda advancing Agenda 2063 and the SDGs through collective action.

Please note that this is an in-person meeting and participation subject to confirmation.

🔗Kindly RSVP using the link below ⬇️
https://t.co/O1hhpgUukI

#AWLN #AUSummit39 #WomenInLeadership #WPS #Agenda2063 #AfricanWomenLeaders

[Maureen Sibanda Shonge @sibandashonge]

@LilianOlivia5 @CheveningFCDO @BristolUni 👏

[UN Women Africa @unwomenafrica]

🎯She’s not being dramatic.
🎯She’s being targeted.
🎯Harassment & deepfakes are violence—on screen and off.
We must #ACTToEndViolence. Join us this evening at 8:00pm EAT for our X Space: chttp://unwo.men/ns2c50XtU4e
#16Days #NoExcuse

[Anna Mutavati @annamutavati]

The G20 under the South African Presidency has prioritized financial inclusion, ending GBV & Femicide, advancing the Care Agenda & Positive Masculinity. I was honoured to represent @UN_Women in congratulating South Africa & G20 members on driving forward these GEWE priorities.