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International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane concluded a successful participation in a gathering of women from twenty countries (Women 20) within the G20 formation in Xi'an, the People's Republic of China.

The meeting ended today, 26 May 2016, where a joint communique was adopted and will be presented to G20 in September.

The W20 Meeting discussed various issues ranging from gender equality perspectives in global economic governance, women's employment, entrepreneurship and social protection, women's role in the digital economy and interconnected and innovative women's network under the theme: "Equal participation and innovative development."

This body was launched in 2015 in Turkey as a stand-alone outreach group to support G20's efforts to achieve inclusive growth and raise the profile of gender issues with the core objective of promoting global gender-inclusive economy growth.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane confirmed during the W20 meeting that South Africa has made strides in closing the gender inequality gap and according to the World Economic Forum, South Africa is ranked number 17 out of 142 countries on women's equality.

In all the policies produced by the country, women's rights remain a cornerstone of the legal framework such as the National Development Plan, which is in line with with the African Union's Agenda 2063 vision, outlining that there be gender equality and women empowerment in all spheres of life.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane held a bilateral meeting with both the President of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), Ms SHEN Yueyue and the Vice President of the all-China Women's Federation and member of the secretariat, Ms MENG Xiaosi to discuss and share information on ways each respective country deals with issues of women empowerment and gender equality to ensure that gender parity is linked to economic prosperity.

These Leaders agreed that women's advancement and leadership are central to both countries.

President SHEN Yueyue was invited to the 60th anniversary of the Women's March celebration in August, in South Africa.

During this visit, both countries agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on various aspects of development for women such as women cooperative training. The signing of the MOU will advance the strong bilateral relationship, which are already in existence between the two countries.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane was accompanied by the Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini; Deputy Minister of Land Affairs and Rural Development, Ms Cadith Mashego-Dlamini; as well as senior government officials from the Department of Women.

Issued by Department of International Relations and Cooperation