Every year on the 9th of August, South Africa celebrates Women's Day. On this day in 1965 more than 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings in protest gainst the extension of Pass Laws to women. This year marks 65 years since the 1956 women's march to the Union Buildings. This year's Women Month is commemorated under the theme; "The year of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke: Realising Women's Rights".
Realising women's rights is an ongoing struggle, not only in South Africa but across the world. Women are faced with various challenges such as unequal power relations between women and men, gender-based violence, high unemployment, patriarchy, sexism, and racism amongst many other challenges. The country has come a long way since 1956 in the attempt to address challenges faced by women, but a lot still needs to be done to create a conducive environment that allows women to take control of their lives.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the nation is devasting ways, healthcare systems, unequal access to education due to remote learning, further loss of income in families and access to food. Women who are small business owners are amongst those that have been affected the most by the pandemic, street vendors, and domestic workers who are now without jobs.
65 years later one would expect that gender equality would have been addressed across sectors by now, but instead the gap is still wide. Women make up a large percentage of society than men, therefore, logic says they should hold majority of jobs, but they do not.
Women play a crucial role in society as entrepreneurs, mothers, wives, peacemakers and unpaid therapists and foster parents to many. Much credit is due to women for creating positive, safe, and loving communities. Today we celebrate all women for doing their bit in their respective corners, we see you!
In an effort to address the various challenges faced by women in the country, the Department of Social Development offers various services to communities. To name a few, the department provides counselling, trauma support and shelters to abused women to ensure their safety. Government continues to make efforts to ensure that both women and men live in an equal society for all.