Paper short abstract:

This paper presents an overview of the development of the women's movements in South Africa and Sudan, highlighting the role of women leaders in both countries in promoting gender equality and policy change and the challenges influencing their political role.

Paper long abstract:

South Africa was rated number 17 out of 136 countries in the world to achieve gender disparity and empower women in all levels of education (MDG 3) in 2015. Furthermore, rated number 8th in the world to have a ratio of women in the parliament, South African women female cadres with their history of bravery in the abolishment of apartheid rule; became an integral part of growth and development in the society which till date has led to effective gender cohesion. Women leaders have increased gender emancipation in social, economic and political sector of the environment with a positive impact on the human and economic development of the country. The women of Sudan on their part, have astounded the world with their strength and resilience during the 2018 revolution. Despite a dominant patriarchal culture, Sudanese women played an integral role in putting an end to the thirty-year of Islamist authoritarian rule. However, despite their success in securing more participation and representation of women in key decision-making bodies in Sudan, a number of legal and contextual factors still hinder their full inclusion. Sudanese women may have won the political rights battle, but their fight is far from over.

This paper aims to present an overview of the development of the women's movements in South Africa and Sudan, highlighting the role of women leaders in both countries, in promoting gender equality and policy change. Using data collected from journal and online, the paper concludes that promoting women participation facilitates gender equitable change.