IN 1956 a protest by gallant women against repressive apartheid pass laws attracted and mobilised women across the colour line and social stratum.

The march to the Union Buildings reflected in all its facets the true fabric of the South Africa we continue to aspire to. The sheer demographic representation of the march should serve as an inspiration to today's generation.

It demonstrated the profound truth that people in SA are not inherently racist and divisive, but had been coerced, through various draconian measures, to develop a paranoiac and jaundiced view of the next person.

This has resulted in a long-drawn battle against racism and prejudice in our country. But there are lessons that can be drawn from the protest march. One is that if we stand united as people, bound by mutual respect and love for one another and despite cultural differences we will emerge as a strong and triumphant nation.

Today women are still faced with various forms of discrimination and exploitation in a male-dominated world. They continue to suffer cowardly acts like rape. Economically they remain confined to the lower rungs of the ladder and are often still poorly paid in the workplace.

They are the least recognised or rewarded by their employees despite performing the same functions as their male counterparts. This discrimination is further accentuated by the fact that the means of production are predominantly controlled and owned by men.

In rural areas the case of women is disheartening, because exploitation is not a subtle means of control and subjugation, but a very overt method that subjects women to an eternal position of subservient and abject poverty.

These are the same women who toil the farmland to which they have no ownership right. These are mothers left to fend for families, while men are exiled to the cities. These are sisters and girl-children whose education is secondary and easily sacrificed if it's perceived to undermine expected norms and traditions.

It's under such conditions that the spread of HIV-Aids is exacerbated. It is under such dire conditions that SA women live today.

But their suffering is mitigated by the fact that under the democratic government there is a demonstrable political will to transform conditions and empower women. Significant investment has been made so far by the government in programmes aimed at alleviating this oppressive situation.

The establishment of the social security network, which provides social grants, helps women deal with crippling poverty.

The myriad of institutions and legislation passed, speaks to this commitment by government to lift women out of the clutches of exploitation. These include the Gender Commission, Gender Equality, the formation of the Department for Women, Youth, Children and people with Disabilities and many others.

Today we pride ourselves in the growing number of women participating in the mainstream economy as businesspeople and leaders in their own right.

The change we want to see can only be attained if we consciously embrace the notion of unity as a means to an end.

Our hope lies in our involvement as active participants in progressive women structures, political organisations and social networks aimed at the total emancipation of women.