ACES Africa, under the dynamic leadership of its delegate Angela Melo, is fully engaged in spreading the values and benefits of the ACES awards throughout the African continent. One of the latest highlights of this work was its active involvement in the Forum on Gender Equality in and through PEPAS (Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport), held in Cape Town from 11 to 13 March 2025.

Organized by the Sports for Social Change Network (SSCN) and supported by the South African and Provincial Government, alongside the Minister of Women and Youth in the South African Presidency, World Rugby, and leading academic institutions such as the Universities of the Western Cape, Cape Town and Stellenbosch, the Forum marked three major global milestones:

the 115th International Women’s Day,
the 30th Anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, and
the 10-year milestone of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The event brought together a diverse group of participants including the ACES Africa Delegate, government representatives, young athletes, grassroots sports institutions, sport practitioners, academics, volunteers, and international students. Key figures included Mr. Ricardo Mackenzie, Provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, and Ms. Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, Deputy Minister in the South African Presidency.

The Forum served as a platform to track progress, share best practices, and identify concrete actions to advance gender equality through sport and physical activity. Topics included:

Women’s leadership and impact in sport
Sport as a tool for improving sexual and reproductive health
The transformative role of sport ecosystems in South Africa
Leveraging women’s sport for societal development
Empowering girls through physical activity and education
Addressing menstrual health and mental well-being through sport
Policy-making for inclusion and sustainable impact

Activities included keynote speeches, high-level panels, a networking village, a research presentation, and a practical workshop on gender equality in sport hosted at the University of Cape Town. The main forum took place at the prestigious Artscape Theatre Centre.

Challenges identified ranged from underrepresentation of women in sports leadership, to the persistence of gender-based violence, and the lack of inclusive policies for people with disabilities. Nevertheless, many best practices and success stories were shared, reaffirming sport as a powerful enabler of sustainable development, particularly in shaping youth, promoting skills, and changing perceptions around disability.

Each participant was tasked with creating a realistic and measurable action plan with clear indicators and a mechanism for follow-up and evaluation to continue progress in gender equality through PEPAS.

ACES Africa thanks President Mr. Gian Francesco Lupattelli for his continued support of this important mission in Cape Town. ACES Africa remains committed to empowering communities through sport and promoting the transformative values at the heart of the ACES movement.