Women of all races can acknowledge that females have power to change any form of discrimination around them.

Today many women may not be faced with the restrictions of pass laws but still face an economic uphill, abuse and dire poverty.

In the new South Africa women empowerment is taking shape at a very slow pace.

Government needs to strive more towards gender equality and women empowerment.

So much is written about the struggles women encounter, however not enough is done to uplift women from poverty and the many difficulties they face.

It is a delight to have women uplifted,  like new  African Union chairman Nkosazana Dlamini- Zuma.

Her appointment is a signal that women can  achieve great things.
Unfortunately, Dlamini-Zuma is one of the few women moving to positions of power.

 A lot of women still need dignified work and equal economic empowerment opportunities.

In spite of economic barriers women meet  we salute women who work in hospitals, caring for the sick. We salute  the brave policewomen who patrol our streets and face hardened criminals, all in an effort to keep South Africa safe.

To the women whose job it is to educate the young, and those women who write and speak about injustice, you are the pillars of our conscience.

We celebrate grandmothers who care for the sick and orphans using an insufficient social grant and women who provide for their families from the little money they make from selling food at roadsides.

For women, whose strength holds families and communities together,  their battle continues.

To all women in South Africa, in all the work they do and the roles they play, continue to fight the inequalities you come across.

You are stronger than you know. Never give up on your dreams!

Young girls look up to you and will one day face the very challenges you  face.