Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga, officially launched Women’s Month 2026 through the EmpowerHer Market Trade Fair in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

The EmpowerHer Market Trade Fair is a flagship government initiative presented in partnership with ABSA, aimed at advancing women’s economic empowerment by creating opportunities for women owned businesses to showcase their products and services, access new markets, establish business partnerships and engage with potential investors and customers.

The trade fair serves as a platform to celebrate the innovation, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of women across South Africa while supporting the growth of women owned enterprises. It also promotes inclusive economic participation by connecting entrepreneurs with key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, enabling collaboration, knowledge sharing and access to funding and business development opportunities.

The launch of Women’s Month 2026 underscores government’s continued commitment to accelerating gender equality and promoting the economic inclusion of women. Through initiatives such as the EmpowerHer Market Trade Fair, government aims to create an enabling environment where women entrepreneurs can thrive, contribute to economic growth and create sustainable employment opportunities within their communities.