Gender policy | Womanity

This week on Womanity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with South African Ambassador Robina (Ruby) Marks, who has served as Ambassador to Thailand, Sri Lanka (with accreditation to Nepal, Maldives, and Bangladesh) and Benin. Her story is multifaceted. She shows how circumstances (political and social constructs), history, identity, and values intersect to forge a life of impact. She also reflects on the ability to reframe even the direst situations as learning experiences, “Things don’t happen to you; they happen for you.” A Childhood Shaped by Inequality Born during apartheid South Africa, Ambassador Marks grew up on the margins of privilege as the daughter of a domestic worker in Cape Town. Her early experiences, playing in the backspaces of homes where opportunity was reserved for whites, sparked a deep awareness of inequality and ignited a belief that a different future was possible. By the age of 13, her activism had begun, influenced not only by personal circumstances but by the broader socio-political landscape of the 1970s and 1980s. Key historical moments, from student uprisings to the rise of liberation movements, became the backdrop against which her political consciousness developed. Activism Reimagined in a Democratic South Africa With the advent of democracy in 1994, Ambassador Marks describes a profound shift, from resistance to responsibility. Activism was no longer about protest alone, but about translating ideals into policy and tangible change. She played a pioneering role as the first Chief Director for Gender at South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, ensuring that the fight for gender equality continued within institutional frameworks. Her journey highlights the importance of adapting activism to new contexts while staying rooted in core values. Values as a Compass for Leadership Ambassador Marks shares how, in the absence of positive role models in her community, she identified values in people that stood out for her and made her own composite. She attributes her resilience and direction to deeply ingrained values shaped by influential figures such as Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo, alongside strong women leaders and her mother. These values, integrity, humility, and justice, became her guiding force, enabling her to navigate transitions and redefine her role across different phases of her life. Even in diplomacy, she emphasises that representing a country begins with representing its moral fabric An Unexpected Path into Diplomacy Becoming an ambassador was never part of Ambassador Marks’ original plan. Growing up in apartheid South Africa, such a career seemed unimaginable. Yet her work in gender advocacy opened doors, eventually leading her to represent South Africa across Asia and Africa. She describes diplomacy as an extension of activism, one that requires balancing national interests with ethical responsibility. The role demanded not only technical expertise but a strong sense of identity, as “when people meet you, they meet your country.” Diplomatic Impact Across Continents Ambassador Marks shares powerful examples of her impact: Thailand: Successfully negotiated the lifting of a citrus import ban, unlocking millions in trade and improving livelihoods for South African farm workers. Sri Lanka: Contributed to reconciliation and peacebuilding efforts in a post-conflict society, while navigating the realities of diplomatic risk during periods of unrest. Benin: Facilitated an academic partnership with the University of KwaZulu-Natal, resulting in hundreds of graduates in agricultural sciences; strengthening both education and food security. These milestones reflect a consistent theme: diplomacy as a tool for economic empowerment, social cohesion, and long-term development. The Power of Soft Diplomacy and Storytelling Beyond formal diplomacy, Ambassador Marks has used storytelling as a transformative tool. She authored children’s books in local languages, both in Sri Lanka and Benin, to promote cultural identity, pride, historical awareness, and gender empowerment. Her book Girls We Can, inspired by the historic women warriors of Benin, aims to inspire young girls while challenging societal norms. Through language and narrative, she champions dignity, inclusion, and pride in one’s heritage. Lessons for the Next Generation Ambassador Marks offers deeply practical and philosophical advice for young women: Build self-belief: Confidence is foundational to pursuing any path. Say no strategically: Discipline and focus require rejecting distractions. Embrace fear: Opportunities for growth often lie in uncomfortable spaces. Define your own success: Success is personal and multifaceted. Be self-reliant: No one is coming to “rescue” you. Ownership of your journey is essential. She also highlights the importance of “falling forward”, transforming failures and hardships into lessons that propel growth. Turning Adversity into Strength One of the most profound reflections comes from her experience of detention during apartheid. Rather than allowing it to define her negatively, she reframed it as a source of resilience and self-discovery. Her philosophy is clear: nothing in life is wasted if you are willing to learn from it. Even the most difficult experiences can become catalysts for strength and purpose A Message of Possibility Closing the conversation, Ambassador Marks leaves us with a powerful reminder: you belong in spaces that may have historically excluded you. And once there, your responsibility is to open the door for others. Her journey, from the Cape Flats to global diplomacy and more, stands as living proof that transformation is possible, not only for individuals, but for societies. Tune in for more…

View Post

April 10, 2026

South African Ambassador – Ruby Marks – Tenacity

This week on Womanity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with South African Ambassador Robina (Ruby) Marks, who has served as Ambassador to Thailand, Sri Lanka (with accreditation to Nepal, Maldives, and Bangladesh) and B...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof Dovile Jakniunaite from the Institute of International Relations and Political Science of Vilnius University and head of the Institute’s Russia and Central Eastern European Studies Centre. There are different iterations of feminism, which are influenced by context. Prof Jakniunaite shares how when Lithuania attained independence in 1990, there was an influx of ideas from the West, including their ideas of feminism, whether that be liberal or social perspectives. In time, as societies mature, they realise that they do not necessarily have to absorb everything from other countries, but can look within themselves for concepts relative to their circumstances. On the one hand there may be some common ideas, but on the other attitudes to certain issues may differ. For example, some people have a romantic notion of socialism, but women in Eastern Europe who experienced socialism first hand tend to consider the failures of this construct. Lithuanians do not have a universal outlook towards women’s roles in society. For example, youth consider equality to be common sense and that women can occupy any role they choose. However, in segments that expect women to care for most of the household responsibility, there is an impact on the amount of time that women can devote to careers, which compromises their professional development. We note that female trailblazers across disciples serve as role models of what activities are possible for women. The fact that Lithuania has had a female president and has a female prime minister helps normalise the presence of women in politics. We discuss some of the impact that countries with feminist foreign policies exert on the world. For example, when a country with a feminist foreign policy donates funds to an entity or another nation it signals that the issues that it cares about need to be addressed as part of the deal. In this way the funding country influences gender equality in the region it is contributing finance to. In closing, Prof Jakniunaite encourages women to build their confidence, and to think of confidence as a skill which with practice develops over time.

View Post

September 13, 2024

Prof Dovile Jakniunaite – International Relations and Political Science – Vilnius University – Evolving Feminism

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof Dovile Jakniunaite from the Institute of International Relations and Political Science of Vilnius University and head of the Institute’s Russ...

his week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Tharina Guse, who heads up the Department of Psychology at the University of Pretoria and is a counselling psychologist. Professor Gusa shares some of her motivations for becoming a psychologist from initial plans to pursue journalism, which stemmed from her interest in people, their experiences and stories. Studying psychology was a natural fit to really understand people through human behaviour, human thoughts and human feelings. Her research and teaching focusses on positive psychology and well-being. Positive psychology distinguishing itself from traditional psychology by focusing on strengths, well-being, and resilience, to harness internal and external resources for personal growth as well as overcoming challenges. Positive psychology can help people become the best version of themselves. Considering satisfaction and well-being in the workplace, research has shown that in workplaces where there are attempts or policies in place to promote gender equality, women are happier. They perform better and their well-being is higher. She is one of the lead researchers of the International Hope Barometer Research Programme, which is an annual survey covering 13 countries that measures people's hopes and expectations for the coming year, but also how much their hopes were fulfilled in the prior year. Interestingly, African countries have high levels of hope, which seems to stem from a trust in resources in the community and the people around us as well as faith-based trust. Reflecting on her leadership role, Professor Gusa highlights the significance of creating supportive and collaborative environments, echoing her belief in the power of compassion and understanding. She acknowledges the challenges of balancing work and personal life, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries, seeking support, and embracing imperfection. Professor Gusa remarks on some of her strong female role models, including her academic mentor and her grandmother, who’s ABBA inspired words instilled in her the belief that "There is something good in everything." In closing, Professor Gusa shares a message of hope, emphasizing its transformative power in navigating life's complexities. Her story serves as a testament to the resilience and strength of women Tune in for more…

View Post

March 21, 2024

Prof Tarina Gusa – Head of Psychology Department – University of Pretoria: Hope has power

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Tharina Guse, who heads up the Department of Psychology at the University of Pretoria and is a counselling psychologist. Professor Gusa...

Tag: Gender policy

View Post

South African Ambassador – Ruby Marks – Tenacity

View Post

Prof Dovile Jakniunaite – International Relations and Political Science – Vilnius University – Evolving Feminism

View Post

Prof Tarina Gusa – Head of Psychology Department – University of Pretoria: Hope has power

Type and hit enter

Tag: Gender policy

View Post

South African Ambassador – Ruby Marks – Tenacity

View Post

Prof Dovile Jakniunaite – International Relations and Political Science – Vilnius University – Evolving Feminism

View Post

Prof Tarina Gusa – Head of Psychology Department – University of Pretoria: Hope has power

Tags

Type and hit enter