VRYHEID KZN: Local ladies celebrate Women’s Day

On August 9, 1956, more than 20,000 South African women of all races staged a march on the Union Buildings in protest against the proposed amendments to the Urban Act of 1950, commonly referred to as the ‘pass laws’.

On Monday this year, at about midday, some Vryheid women from different departments gathered to celebrate what has now come to be known as Women’s Day (August 9). Yvonne Sibiya, who was the programme director, said that the theme of the day was simply to celebrate women. “As women, let’s pull away from this syndrome called ‘PHD’ (Pull Her Down). Let us learn to support each other; don’t think you are better than the next woman. Pull away from unnecessary gossip; if you feel there is something you want to say to me, say it. Women still face issues such as parenting, domestic violence, sexual harassment in the workplace, unequal pay and schooling matters. This day is used to grapple with these ideas and find solutions.” Sibiya went on to say that, “We face various challenges as women, one being parenting. There is no manual to raise a child, but if we can teach and learn from each other how to deal with certain issues, we can go far, so let us develop each other in a positive way.”

Nquthu police station manager Nonhlanhla Shezi touched on the issues surrounding domestic violence, educating those present about the various types of domestic violence. She said that, “Domestic violence is any action of abuse that is done to you, either at work or at home. Let’s say you are in a relationship with someone but due to some reasons, you end up breaking up. If he continues to stalk or follow you non-stop, that is domestic violence. If there is no love or respect, that relationship is dead. If you were once married, but your ex-partner keeps on coming to you or your house uninvited, that is also regarded as domestic violence. If someone you are in a relationship with is beating you up, that is domestic violence as well, so report it to your nearest police station as soon as possible. There is also sexual abuse that women come across in their relationships. Don’t stay in an abusive relationship just for the sake of the kids or because he pays the bills. Money is not everything and we women can make our own money.” “If you are lucky to have a job, do it as if there is no tomorrow. Even if your seniors are not around, do your work as if they are watching you, because it’s for your own good. Don’t just sit around at work and talk; you will end up wondering why are other women are getting promotions and not you. Women, please learn to keep your goals and dreams between you and your God. Stop announcing everything you are doing in your life, because if something is not accomplished, you will feel like people are gossiping about you. And most importantly, let us respect and support everyone around us,” she concluded.

Mrs Phakathi gave spiritual guidance to the women present by reading a Scripture from 2 Peter Chapter 4 verse 3: “Today we are gathered here as women; unique women, as we have different gifts. We need one other, so let us support and appreciate each other. Always remember that you are wonderfully made by God. You have been told by your family that you are not so good looking. At school, they might have told you that you are not smart enough. In the community, they might have told you that you are ‘nothing’ and no one will ever listen to what you have to say… In that way, you lost yourself and your confidence, but remember that you were made by God – you are made from His own image. These days, people rate one another by status, power or education, but do not forget who you are to God. Never stop praying and reading the Bible that will always fill your spiritual cup. Then nothing will shake you easily,” she said.

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