If you strike a woman, you strike a rock
Every year on August 9, South Africa celebrates Women’s Day, a public holiday that pays homage to the women of our nation and especially those who fought against the apartheid government.
On this particular day in 1956, Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Albertina Sisulu and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn led a 20 000 women-only protest to rise up against the legislation that required black South Africans to carry the “pass”.
The women arrived at the Union Buildings in Pretoria and dropped off bundles of petitions containing more than 100 000 signatures at Prime Minister J.G Strijdom’s offices.
They then stood in silence for 30 minutes and a song was composed in honour of this momentous occasion, “Wathint’ Abafazi Wathint’ imbokodo!” (If you strike a woman you strike a rock).
The day was first inaugurated in 1994, along with a free, democratic South Africa.
Every year there’s a different theme for the month-long celebration.
On July 31, minister in the presidency responsible for women, Susan Shabangu, launched the Women’s Month and outlined her government’s plans for women.
She said she is proud to say that in the past 20 years of freedom women now have equal rights before the law which did not exist before 1994.
However, Shabangu was quick to admit that many women are affected by crime, poverty, inequality and unemployment.
“Thus, as a government, we are working hard to pursue a collective programme to resolve some of the challenges.
“We will work with the private sector and civil society to address these challenges,” she said.
Shabangu outlined month-long activities linked to four sub-themes which she said are drawn from the eight aims of the 1954 Women’s Charter, the twelve articles of the 1994 Women’s Charter for Effective Equality and within the context of the 20 years of freedom celebration.
The sub-themes are as follows:
• Equality – Recognising the need to address the historical imbalances between women and men in all spheres of life including the political, civic and social life.
• Non-discrimination and rights – Women’s rights are human rights and include rights to legal status, land, property, inheritance, dignity, and freedom of association.
• Socio-economic empowerment – A focus on women’s education, health, access to productive resources (land, credit, and employment, among others) and social infrastructure.
• Moving the women’s agenda forward – Reviewing progress made on women’s empowerment and gender equality over the 60 year period and charting the road map for women’s advancement, development and a better quality of life.
