Rikky Minyuku is a gender specialist with expertise in addressing gender-based violence, fostering inclusion and championing diversity, equity and belonging. She is a director at Womaniko Transforming Spaces, which provides bespoke end-to-end consulting on gender-transformative change, gender-based violence and sexual harassment.
She has been a social justice advocate for over 25 years and has worked with the private sector, civil society, state and multi-lateral institutions from the community to global level. Through public speaking, media engagement and strategic lobbying she has influenced policy and societal change on national and international platforms. Rikky is committed to advancing gender equality and social justice through visionary, innovative and collaborative efforts.
Minyuku says: “Women+ are recognising the many ways that structural oppression has divided and separated us.
“We no longer embrace or limit ourselves to the assigned hierarchical value of the titles we are given. Instead, we reconnect with ourselves through self-care and healing, reconnecting to our roots and our land. We are finding our voice and building a collective voice by creating safe spaces to unlearn and relearn.
“The most beautiful thing is that we are building interconnected bridges. We are using multimedia rooted in our own knowledge to reach each other, the younger generation, and others across the world. Women+ in South Africa are becoming the change.
“Exemplifying this are people like Dr Mmatshilo Motsei of Afrika Ikalafe Pluriversity, an activist, caregiver, healer and researcher.
“Also, Chef Noni Moroenyane of Noni’s Home Dish, who offers events and immersions to learn about indigenous food and our connection to land; and Lidia Rauch of Bloom Enterprises, who creates safe spaces to reconstruct white identity and build racial equity. Then, there is Chule Gobodo of Brainbow Conscious Creatives, who uses storytelling to help us understand and recognise the power of Ubuntu.”
