Against the backdrop of the 1956 march to the Union Building, uThukela District Municipality, in partnership with the Department of Health and other stakeholders, organised Women’s Month activities over a two-day period in Ladysmith and Nazareth last week.
On August 8, 1956, about 20,000 women of all races marched to the Union Building to protest against the discriminatory pass laws which had restricted the movement of black people in the country. This march has been celebrated since 1995, as Women’s Day, to recognise the important role that political activism by women played during the struggle for liberation against colonisation and apartheid.
The first activity was the launch of Black Thursday at the uThukela District Health Office, aimed at empowering women. It also seeks to help women to understand their partners, family members and society at large.
The Office of the Premier facilitated this workshop and many issues of concern were brought to the fore, particularly the issue of equality.
It was mentioned that there was no real equality between men and women, although government has made some strides in addressing gender disparities.
Another issue was the scourge of violence against women which, most of the time, is perpetrated by their male partners. Women were encouraged to break the silence and report all forms of abuse directed towards them.
The following day, the event moved to Nazareth and was attended by uThukela District First Lady Mrs Sindi Mazibuko, Deputy Mayor NW Sibiya, Speaker DCP Mazibuko, councillors, SAPS, traditional leaders and Omama Bamajukujuku.
Women were encouraged to work together and build each other in every possible way.
Deputy Mayor Sibiya also emphasised the importance of breaking the silence as women, and urged them to stand-up against violence and abuse.
Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join us there!
