Women’s Day 2022

What is Women’s Month?

Every year, in August, our country marks Women’s Month and Women’s Day on 9th August. We also pay tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women.

What is this Women’s Month theme?

This year’s Women’s Month is celebrated under the theme: “Women’s Socio-Economic Rights and Empowerment: Building Back Better for Women’s Improved Resilience”. The concept of Generation Equality is a global campaign and links South Africa to global efforts to achieve gender equality by 2030.

Why is Women’s month celebrated?

Women’s Month is a tribute not only to the thousands of women who marched on that day in 1956, but also a tribute to the pioneers of the women’s movement in this country, dating back to 1913.

Who are some of the Woman pioneers?

The names of Ray Alexander Simons, Elizabeth Mafikeng and Elizabeth Abrahams will always be associated with the struggles of women. In the 1940s Amina Pahad and Gadijah Christopher, who were amongst the first volunteers to occupy the site of the 1946 Passive Resistance Campaign on Umbilo Road in Durban cannot go unnoticed.

National Women’s Day activities

1. Take part in an awareness event
2. Attend an event or protest that helps raise awareness and empower women
3. Host a viewing party: every year the event is televised and reenactments are held. Hosting a viewing party is the perfect way to celebrate if you can’t be there in person.
4. Attend a reenactment: In 2006 the first reenactment of the original protest was held and every year there is another reenactment held. Spectating or signing up to participate is a great way to honor the history behind the day.

What is the significance of National Women’s Day in South Africa?

National Women’s Day draws attention to issues that African women still face to this day. These include unequal pay, domestic violence, and ensuring all girls have access to education. It is often used to protest and call wider attention to these issues. Women’s Day shares the same goal as International Women’s Day at its heart  – that is, to make sure that all women are represented and have access to basic freedoms and rights. The day has helped to secure much more representation for women in the national assembly, where they represent 48% of the country’s government.

What’s the Difference Between National Women’s Day and International Women’s Day?

The goal is the same, empowering women! But while National Women’s Day is more about the liberation and empowerment of South African women, International Women’s Day is more about all women from any region.