#Women’s Day: What it’s about …
The Government of South Africa declared August Women’s Month and 9 August is celebrated annually as Women’s Day.
National Women’s Day on 9 August is one of several public holidays in South Africa, but why do we celebrate it?
First and foremost, the country commemorates Women’s Month throughout August.
The South African government has this to say about Women’s Month: “South Africa commemorates Women’s Month in August as a 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. The Government of South Africa declared August Women’s Month and 9 August is celebrated annually as Women’s Day.
“We have made significant progress in empowering women in the political, public and educational spheres, but the marginalisation of poor women severely compromises progress.”
Click here [https://www.gov.za/womens-month] for more details.
There is also the grave issue of violence against women.
Last year, government said, “Women’s Month takes place against a backdrop of an increase in the levels of violence and brutality against women and children in our society”.
Despite various efforts by police, organisations, churches and others, women across the country are still sadly subjected to various forms of abuse.
In June this year during a road show held by the Randfontein Police, churches and local non-profit organisations to tackle problems such as drug abuse, domestic violence and gender-based violence, Brigadier Jacob Manamela, the Randfontein Police station commander said the biggest problem with gender-based and domestic violence is that the victims, either women or men, withdraw their cases.
Last week, in light of Women’s Month, the Herald spoke to local magistrate, Elbie Botha, about women’s rights. In the interview, Elbie mentioned some of the organisations that exist to save women who may feel downtrodden.
Watch video below:
