United Nations under-secretary general and executive director of UN Women to deliver 2020 Chief Albert Luthuli Memorial Lecture

The Luthuli Museum is proud to announce that Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of UN Women will deliver the 2020 Chief Albert Luthuli Memorial Lecture, on 28 November 2020.

The theme for this year’s Chief Albert Luthuli Memorial Lecture is: "The 1995 World Conference on Women: Where to for South Africa and the rest of the African continent?"

This year’s 14th Luthuli Memorial Lecture theme becomes important considering that “South Africa is going through a dark period, where the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide continues unabated, despite efforts to combat it. We need to earnestly ask ourselves about the future for the upcoming generation,” said Important Mkhize, Chairperson of the Luthuli Museum Council.

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Under-Secretary General and Executive Director: UN Women

Civil rights activists recently made a call to government for "effective legislation to combat" gender-based violence against women. The South African President Cyril Ramaphosa termed this scourge against women as "South Africa’s second pandemic" and requires a programme of action by all concerned groups.

Chief Albert Luthuli was a staunch advocate for gender equality; human rights and peaceful coexistence among all beings. This year’s Luthuli Memorial Lecture adds its voice to many in raising public awareness, critical debate and action against this crime against our common humanity.

Due to the current global pandemic, this year’s Memorial Lecture will be delivered virtually live from the UN Women offices in New York on Saturday, 28 November 2020 at 3pm, South African time.

For enquiries, please contact: Valentia Mthembu on contact number: 082 899 8819/032 559 6822/23 or e-mail address: [email protected]. Visit the Luthuli Web site on: www.luthulimuseum.org.za National Cultural Institution Council members: I Mkhize (Chairperson), Dr M Mchunu (Deputy Chairperson), Dr AN Luthuli, Advocate J Ralefatane, M Luthuli; S Mabilane; Dr L Konar. www.luthulimuseum.org.za.