That’s the critical question at the heart of Democracy Unplugged this August, as Podcast Party brings its flagship live-event series back to Cape Town. The distinguished panel – moderated by actor and outspoken GBV activist Siv Ngesi, and will include DA MP Michéle Clarke, ANC MPL Nobulumko Nkondlo, humanitarian Rachel Kolisi, and Ronel Stevens from MOSAIC, a leading organisation working to combat abuse and support survivors – will unpack these critical issues as the county honours Women’s Month.

This year, Women’s Month comes at a pivotal moment: 30 years since the Beijing Declaration, and as South Africa assumes the G20 Presidency with gender inclusion high on the agenda. But for millions of South African women, the promises of equality are still far from reality.

Despite progress in policy and political representation, gender-based violence, economic exclusion, and unconscious patriarchy continue to define women’s daily lives. South Africa remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a woman, with over one in three women (36%) having experienced violence, and nearly a quarter of attacks coming from intimate partners.

Women are still underrepresented in leadership, underpaid at work, and overburdened with unpaid care. Health inequality, menstrual stigma, and a growing gender digital divide add further pressure – while the voices of women in poor, rural, and marginalised communities are too often ignored altogether.

In 2025, the stakes are too high for silence. If South Africa is serious about creating a country where every woman is safe, seen, and heard, we must stop rehearsing the same conversations and start rewriting the rules.

Democracy Unplugged is Podcast Party’s flagship live event and podcast series. With rotating guest hosts, expert panelists, and audience participation, it brings together diverse voices to debate South Africa’s most urgent challenges – openly, bravely, and constructively.

Since its inception ahead of the 2024 general elections, Podcast Party has evolved into an independent content platform, producing live events and current affairs podcasts that challenge, inform, and inspire. As we look ahead, we’re  committed to elevating more conversations that matter, and growing the impact of these shows as essential fixtures in South Africa’s media landscape.

Join the Party – podcastparty.co.za and @PodcastPartysa on all social media channels