Every year on August 9, South Africa celebrates Women’s Day to honour the courage, resilience and achievements of women across the country.

Marching against pass laws

The day commemorates the historic 1956 Women’s March, when more than 20,000 women from different backgrounds marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against pass laws imposed on them.

The pass laws were a set of apartheid laws in South Africa that controlled where Black South Africans could live, work and travel. People were required to carry a pass book (also called a ‘dompas’) containing personal information, employment details and permission to be in certain areas. If they did not have a valid pass, they could be fined or arrested.

Celebrating Women today

Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the many contributions that women make every day – as mothers, daughters, caregivers, leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals. It is also an opportunity to recognise the progress made towards equality while acknowledging that there is still work to be done to create opportunities for all women.

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