The BRICS platform, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and newly inducted members such as Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, has emerged as a critical force for fostering international cooperation. In recent years, BRICS has expanded its focus to include social development and gender equality, providing opportunities for countries to collaborate and share experiences.

During the Eurasian Women’s Forum (EAWF) 2024 in St. Petersburg, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Women and Social Affairs highlighted BRICS’ significant role in promoting women’s leadership and social development, with Ethiopia’s official Asalifew Kabeto stressing the importance of cooperation between emerging economies.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the EAWF, Kabeto emphasized that BRICS serves as an alternative space for countries to work together on critical social issues such as women’s leadership and development. With the BRICS group’s diverse membership now including African nations like Ethiopia and Egypt, the platform offers emerging economies the opportunity to collaborate on innovative solutions to shared challenges, particularly those related to gender equality.

“BRICS is an alternative platform to work together with different countries,” Kabeto stated. “We have just shared different experiences from different countries on women, leadership, [and] women’s social development.” Her remarks reflect the growing recognition that economic development cannot be fully realized without ensuring gender equality and empowering women to play a central role in leadership and decision-making processes.

The BRICS platform’s ability to unite nations across continents-spanning from South America to Africa and Asia-creates a valuable space for cross-cultural exchange. Countries with varying historical, economic, and social backgrounds can come together to share strategies and best practices for addressing common challenges related to gender inequality, economic empowerment, and political representation.

Founded in 2006, BRICS originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2011. The addition of Ethiopia and Egypt in January 2024, alongside Iran and the UAE, marks a significant expansion of the group’s global reach. This enlargement of BRICS signals the increasing importance of Africa and the Middle East in shaping the global economic and political order.

Ethiopia’s inclusion in BRICS is particularly noteworthy given its position as one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies. For a nation grappling with complex social issues-including gender inequality and the need for greater investment in women’s leadership-BRICS offers Ethiopia an invaluable platform to learn from other member states and contribute its own insights to the global conversation.

Kabeto’s emphasis on women’s leadership and social development speaks to the broader goals of BRICS, which is increasingly framing itself as not just an economic alliance but also as a coalition capable of tackling pressing social issues. As the global community continues to push for gender equality and women’s empowerment, BRICS countries are becoming important players in this movement, each offering unique perspectives on how to achieve these goals in diverse national contexts.

During the same forum, Raymond Matlala, chairman of the South African BRICS Youth Association, echoed the importance of women’s rights and gender equality, particularly in South Africa. Matlala shared a deeply personal connection to the issue, noting how his upbringing by a single mother, alongside sisters and nieces, instilled in him a deep desire to fight for a better future for women.

South Africa has made notable strides in promoting gender equality, particularly in government representation. According to Matlala, the country’s leadership has made significant efforts to ensure women’s voices are heard in decision-making spaces. “In South Africa, it’s not a rule that is written, but it’s something the president has made that in cabinet, as well as in parliament, [there] must be at least 50% representation of women,” Matlala noted.

This commitment to gender parity at the highest levels of government demonstrates the potential for BRICS countries to implement policies that promote gender equality in leadership positions. While challenges remain in achieving full equality, South Africa’s model of government representation serves as an example for other BRICS nations striving to create more inclusive political and social structures.

Matlala’s reflections on the importance of women as the “backbone” of communities also highlight the critical role women play in building resilient societies. Across BRICS countries, women often bear the brunt of social and economic hardships, yet they also serve as key drivers of social cohesion, community building, and economic development. Investing in women’s leadership, therefore, has far-reaching implications for both social stability and economic progress.

The 2024 edition of the Eurasian Women’s Forum has drawn over 2,000 participants from across the globe, with 600 foreign guests representing 126 countries and international organizations. Since its establishment in 2015, the forum has become a prominent platform for promoting female leadership and discussing strategies to enhance women’s social and economic participation.

Valentina Matvienko, head of the Russian Federation Council, praised the forum for its role in fostering international dialogue on women’s issues. As the forum continues to grow, it serves as an important space for exchanging ideas, forming partnerships, and promoting initiatives aimed at empowering women globally. This year’s event, held from September 18 to 20, underscores the increasing importance of gender equality and women’s leadership on the global agenda.

For BRICS countries, the EAWF offers an opportunity to showcase their achievements in promoting gender equality while also learning from the experiences of other nations. With the participation of key BRICS member states, the forum also serves as a space to deepen cooperation on issues related to women’s leadership and social development.

As BRICS continues to expand its influence on the global stage, its focus on women’s leadership and social development is likely to become even more central to its mission. For countries like Ethiopia, participation in BRICS represents a critical opportunity to learn from other nations, share best practices, and collaborate on policies that promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The insights shared by Kabeto and Matlala during the EAWF highlight the vital role of BRICS in addressing the unique challenges faced by women in emerging economies. By continuing to prioritize gender equality and social development, BRICS can not only drive economic progress but also contribute to building more inclusive and just societies across its member states.

Looking ahead, the collaboration fostered through platforms like the EAWF and BRICS can provide a blueprint for other global coalitions seeking to promote women’s rights and leadership. With a shared commitment to addressing social inequalities, BRICS countries are well-positioned to play a leading role in advancing the global gender equality agenda.

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