AS THE country has just celebrated Women's Day, it is of vital importance to look beyond the mere symbolism of this day and reflect on the significance of August 9 1956, when 20000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the extension of the pass laws to women.
As we reflect on this day, it is equally important to look at ways to address the root causes of the challenges facing women in South Africa and the world and to find sustainable solutions.
Women need to take the lead. Women have played and can play a critical role in overcoming oppression and exploitation.
This heroic march reminds us that mmangwana o tshwara thipa ka fa bogaleng (a woman will risk her life for her child). I believe that women's challenges can be best addressed by women themselves.
In 1956 women fought for their rights and won in spite of very difficult circumstances. I therefore see no reason why the same will and courage cannot prevail in dealing with the challenges facing women and the broader society today. The legislative framework is much more conducive now than in the days when women were secondary citizens with no say at all.
Sixteen years into democracy and political emancipation, women still suffer deep oppression with unacceptable levels of poverty and unemployment, sexual and physical abuse both at home and in the workplace, remuneration inequality, especially in the private sector and low levels of representation in decision-making structures.
Discriminatory social norms and practices continue to impede women's full enjoyment of human rights. Political will with insufficient action, under representation in decision making positions and lack of resources to address the issues are further impediments to progress.
Our girl children continue to suffer abuse at the hands of the very people who are supposed to care for and protect them. Violence against young women is a serious and escalating evil in our society. This is both a part of the subordination of women and a consequence of that inequality.
As we celebrate Women's Month, we should take a hard look at the sad waste of talent facing young girls today. Our girls become mothers at a far too-young age. Teenage pregnancy and child-headed households rob our girls of their future potential and talents, leaving them with a lasting legacy of lack and poverty.
Our elderly women remain subjects of abuse, both from the young and the matured. The increasing number of rapes of elderly women, our grandmothers, is the worst disgrace.
Grandmothers care for 40-60 percent of children who have lost parents as a result of HIV-Aids. At the age of 80, a granny finds herself having to look after orphans, often with very little support from society and with limited resources to nurture and provide for their grandchildren.
Nevertheless, remarkable developments have taken place in recent years due to the commitment of a few to change the behaviour of many.
In the face of formidable forces maintaining the patriarchal systems that give rise to both discrimination and violence against women, there is evidence that the tide may be turning, slowly, but we are getting there.
In 1956, a legion of brave and determined women dared to throw down the gauntlet at the seat of apartheid power. Their inspiring example challenges us all as women to work together and lead in getting things right.
We must take the lead because if we do not, we will continue to suffer. History has proved that in the wake of any societal instability, women and children are often the ones mostly affected. As women, we can turn the tide. It begins with small actionable steps.
Let's get back to basics. Let's not keep quite about abuse. Knowing that a mother is not only a mother to her own children, but to every child, let's take the lead in rebuilding the moral fibre of our society by supporting and caring for one another as women, and, most importantly, let's lead by example.
Young women, and men too, could do with some inspiring and positive stories by women to encourage and propel them to thrive for excellence.
Let us stand up makhosikazi. The time is right. Let us continue the march of 1956. This time, let us speak out against poverty, unemployment, all forms of abuse, illiteracy and the moral break down of our society.
- The writer is the president of the SA Council of Businesswomen.
Struggle is not over yet
AS THE country has just celebrated Women's Day, it is of vital importance to look beyond the mere symbolism of this day and reflect on the significance of August 9 1956, when 20000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the extension of the pass laws to women.
As we reflect on this day, it is equally important to look at ways to address the root causes of the challenges facing women in South Africa and the world and to find sustainable solutions.
Women need to take the lead. Women have played and can play a critical role in overcoming oppression and exploitation.
This heroic march reminds us that mmangwana o tshwara thipa ka fa bogaleng (a woman will risk her life for her child). I believe that women's challenges can be best addressed by women themselves.
In 1956 women fought for their rights and won in spite of very difficult circumstances. I therefore see no reason why the same will and courage cannot prevail in dealing with the challenges facing women and the broader society today. The legislative framework is much more conducive now than in the days when women were secondary citizens with no say at all.
Sixteen years into democracy and political emancipation, women still suffer deep oppression with unacceptable levels of poverty and unemployment, sexual and physical abuse both at home and in the workplace, remuneration inequality, especially in the private sector and low levels of representation in decision-making structures.
Discriminatory social norms and practices continue to impede women's full enjoyment of human rights. Political will with insufficient action, under representation in decision making positions and lack of resources to address the issues are further impediments to progress.
Our girl children continue to suffer abuse at the hands of the very people who are supposed to care for and protect them. Violence against young women is a serious and escalating evil in our society. This is both a part of the subordination of women and a consequence of that inequality.
As we celebrate Women's Month, we should take a hard look at the sad waste of talent facing young girls today. Our girls become mothers at a far too-young age. Teenage pregnancy and child-headed households rob our girls of their future potential and talents, leaving them with a lasting legacy of lack and poverty.
Our elderly women remain subjects of abuse, both from the young and the matured. The increasing number of rapes of elderly women, our grandmothers, is the worst disgrace.
Grandmothers care for 40-60 percent of children who have lost parents as a result of HIV-Aids. At the age of 80, a granny finds herself having to look after orphans, often with very little support from society and with limited resources to nurture and provide for their grandchildren.
Nevertheless, remarkable developments have taken place in recent years due to the commitment of a few to change the behaviour of many.
In the face of formidable forces maintaining the patriarchal systems that give rise to both discrimination and violence against women, there is evidence that the tide may be turning, slowly, but we are getting there.
In 1956, a legion of brave and determined women dared to throw down the gauntlet at the seat of apartheid power. Their inspiring example challenges us all as women to work together and lead in getting things right.
We must take the lead because if we do not, we will continue to suffer. History has proved that in the wake of any societal instability, women and children are often the ones mostly affected. As women, we can turn the tide. It begins with small actionable steps.
Let's get back to basics. Let's not keep quite about abuse. Knowing that a mother is not only a mother to her own children, but to every child, let's take the lead in rebuilding the moral fibre of our society by supporting and caring for one another as women, and, most importantly, let's lead by example.
Young women, and men too, could do with some inspiring and positive stories by women to encourage and propel them to thrive for excellence.
Let us stand up makhosikazi. The time is right. Let us continue the march of 1956. This time, let us speak out against poverty, unemployment, all forms of abuse, illiteracy and the moral break down of our society.
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