August is Women’s Month and the 09th day of this month is National Women’s Day in South Africa. This is a tribute to
thousands of women that marched to the Union Buildings on 09 August 1956 in
protest against pass laws.
Since then, our Constitution
has taken strides towards women empowerment and emancipation. Though there has
been considerable improvement over the years, there are still many intertwined
challenges that need to be tackled.
Women are still
marginalised in their homes, communities and workplaces. The rate of sexual
violence in this country remains one of the highest in the world, with an
estimated 500, 000 cases of rape every year. Domestic violence, poverty and HIV/AIDS also remain
prevalent.
It’s not all doom and
gloom though. Women have a lot to celebrate and a lot to be celebrated for.
My hope is that this Women’s
Month will encourage discussions that bring about solutions and invoke social change.
I look forward stories of women who have gone against all odds and done
extraordinary things. May these stories break silences and inspire.
May every woman feel
special and valued; from a woman in Camps Bay to a woman in Khayelitsha, from a
married mother to a single mother and from an executive at a large corporation
to a cashier at a supermarket. As much as so many factors divide us, there is
an undeniable strong thread that weaves between us, making us the same.
May this month be a celebration
of every woman’s journey.
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