Lulama Xingwana

"To date the women of Africa, like women elsewhere, have not been included as full, equal and effective stakeholders in processes that determine their lives. Their role and contribution to national and continental development processes are neither recognised nor rewarded; they continue to be absent from decision making and although they bear the brunt of conflicts, women are generally not included in peace negotiations or other initiatives."

"There is a greater feminisation of poverty arising out of the global economic turmoil which has affected the majority of people all over the world. In Africa women continue to till the land yet still fight for access to land. Women seeking ownership rights still have to face and challenge traditional culture in terms of its gender bias."

"Yet sustainable economic and social development can only be achieved with the full participation and leadership of women on the African continent. In order to overturn centuries of underdevelopment, women need to position themselves at the centre of development processes."

"There can be no genuine development without gender equality and the liberation of women being central to this development. A People’s Revolution is a Women’s Revolution."

"When we look back at history, we now see the past with a gender sensitive lens. We see that at every great gathering of African intellectuals and leadership, women were present as participants. Yet their names are not as prominent in the history books."

"Today we know that there are African women writers who can ensure that the history of women is written down for future generations, who can convey the emotions, aspirations, suffering and achievements of African women."