South African High Commissioner joins Kamala Club in Singapore to mark International Women’s Day 2026
The High Commissioner of South Africa to Singapore, Madiepetsane Charlotte Lobe, commemorated International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 with members of the Kamala Club Singapore. The event highlighted the role of women’s organisations in promoting gender equality, social empowerment, and community engagement.
Established in 1950, the Kamala Club is one of Singapore’s longstanding women’s organisations. The non-profit organisation focuses on social, charitable, humanitarian, and cultural initiatives for its members and supports vulnerable communities both in Singapore and beyond.
Image by South Africa High Commission in Singapore
In her remarks, High Commissioner Lobe reflected on the historical origins of International Women’s Day, noting that the movement emerged from early labour struggles led by women advocating for fair pay, improved working conditions, and voting rights. She recalled that the first official International Women’s Day was observed in 1911 across several European countries and that the United Nations formally recognised 8 March as International Women’s Day in 1977.
The High Commissioner also highlighted the symbolism traditionally associated with the observance, noting that the colour purple represents justice and dignity, green symbolises hope, and white signifies peace and new beginnings. She addressed ongoing discussions regarding the presence of multiple International Women’s Day themes, noting that these initiatives reflect diverse global campaigns working toward the shared objective of advancing gender equality.
Referring to the 2026 themes, she noted that UN Women marked the day under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” which calls for the removal of systemic barriers and the strengthening of protections for women and girls worldwide. She also referenced the theme “Balance the Scales” promoted by UN Women Australia, emphasising equitable access to justice and accountability in addressing gender-based violence and discrimination.
In addition, the High Commissioner highlighted the campaign theme #GiveToGain, which encourages collective support, mentorship, and investment in women’s leadership. She emphasised that supporting women’s empowerment contributes to stronger communities and inclusive development.
Looking ahead, High Commissioner Lobe noted that she will participate in a leadership training programme for senior women leaders from across ASEAN at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy later this month. She indicated that her participation forms part of her personal commitment to supporting women’s leadership and advancing gender equality.
The gathering reaffirmed the importance of collaboration among community organisations, diplomatic missions, and international partners in promoting gender equality and empowering women across societies.
Source: South Africa High Commission in Singapore
