The Month of Women was celebrated through diplomacy, literature, and the empowerment of women at an event organized by the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in South Africa, in collaboration with the Embassy of Colombia and the International Diplomatic Spouses Association (IDSA). The event featured a presentation of the book "Women Rising: An International Anthology," which aims to collect voices and experiences from women in over a hundred countries across five continents.

IDSA patron Winny Lamola delivered an inspiring opening speech, urging women to recognize that the advancement of women is not defined solely by public achievements, titles, or positions. She emphasized the many forms that women's strength can take, including raising children, supporting families, education, building businesses, entering spaces previously closed to women, and creating opportunities for others. For Winny, one of the most important aspects of celebrating women is recognizing the transformation that often occurs outside the public eye. She encouraged women to value their personal journeys and not mistake invisibility for insignificance.

A significant portion of her speech focused on the legacy of Queen Nzinga Mbandi of Ndonga and Matamba, whose story continues to resonate centuries after her reign. Winny highlighted Queen Nzinga as a woman who negotiated, led, and defended her people using diplomacy and statecraft in a world where power was largely held by men. "Women Rising is not a new story," said Winny. "We are continuing a story that women began long before us." She emphasized the importance of passing down such stories from generation to generation and ensuring that the achievements and struggles of women who came before are not forgotten.

Her reflections also connected the legacy of Queen Nzinga with the legacies of women in South Africa, including the over 20,000 women who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956 in protest against the extension of pass laws for women. The "Women Rising" anthology seeks to continue this tradition of preserving women's experiences through their own voices. IDSA President Karem Ruiz de Livieres presented the anthology and outlined an initiative being undertaken to mark the 25th anniversary of IDSA. The project will connect IDSA members, ambassadors, mission heads, and prominent women from all walks of life through poetry, prose, and personal stories.

The anthology aims not only to celebrate women but also to create a lasting legacy. Proceeds will go to the IDSA Scholarship Fund, which supports university scholarships for young women, with the aim of providing educational opportunities that can have an impact far beyond the individual recipients. Karem explained that the ultimate impact of the project will be seen in the young women who benefit from these scholarships and who will positively influence their families, communities, countries, and globally.

The "Women Rising" book will be published as a special edition of Avança, Mulher ("Go Forward, Woman") in collaboration with IDSA. Avança, Mulher is a literary project originating from Angola. The 462-page anthology, published by Angola Gira Livro, brings together texts from 114 authors from 10 countries, including short stories, poetry, and chronicles exploring the diverse experiences and roles of women in society. Avança, Mulher was created as an inclusive platform through which women can share their experiences, emotions, beliefs, missions, and aspirations. The project seeks to inspire women from all walks of life and promote a literary movement focused on the strength and empowerment of women.

Egna de Sousa, one of the authors and speakers at the event, is a career diplomat and poet who has been recognized as one of Angola's 100 most influential women. She is known for her literary work focused on empowering women and fostering children's creativity, and she is a co-author of the book Avança, Mulher. The anthology was also available at the event. The connection between Avança, Mulher and Women Rising lies in their shared belief in the power of women to tell their own stories. Winny encouraged women who have achieved significant milestones in their lives to share their experiences so that others could learn from their journeys.

“A completed chapter does not mean a finished book,” she said, noting that a completed chapter for one woman can become a roadmap for another woman just beginning to write her own. She also urged women who have reached influential positions to reach out and help others by mentoring, sharing knowledge, opening doors, and creating opportunities. This message resonated with the purpose of the anthology marking IDSA's 25th anniversary: empowering women is not only about celebrating today's successes but also about investing in the women who will shape tomorrow.

The event demonstrated how diplomacy and cultural exchange can provide a platform for women's voices to be heard across borders. Through the Women Rising initiative, the experiences of women from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds become part of a collective record of courage, resilience, and aspirations. As Winny concluded, when women rise together, their progress extends beyond themselves. “When women rise together, the world cannot remain the same.”

thediplomaticsociety.co.za / gnews.cz - Jan Vojtěch