Tax advisory company Latita Africa has introduced the Dress Her in Dignity social movement in partnership with Parktown High School for Girls to form a visible expression of dignity, recognition and restored womanhood for Women’s Month.

The initiative, powered by the organisation’s corporate social investment programme, More than a Moment, invited people across the country and beyond, as well as learners from Parktown High School for Girls, to share written words of affirmation, encouragement and hope.

Read more: Parktown High School for Girls dress mannequin in dignity this women’s month

Latita Africa unveiled a mannequin on September 4 which the girls dressed in sticky notes that were handwritten affirmations, encouragement and hope.

Parktown High School for Girls Values Club members were responsible for rallying the rest of the girls in the school, staff and community to submit their handwritten affirmations and eventually put the actual Dress Her in Dignity art piece together to become a garment, a covering and a visible act of restoration.

The school learners involved were Gabriella Rafferty, Nicola Botha, Valerie le Roux, Riley Botha, Kira-Fat Martin van Zyl, Gia Onofri, Asunta Lya, Safurah Wadvalla, Zinhle Dube, Sage Makgathe and Casey Jorissen, along with their teacher, Hester Jurgens.

The mannequin represents what has always been there.

Dignity is not something the world gives to a woman. It belongs to her in her home, her workplace, her relationships, her decisions and her financial life.

The completed artwork, specially commissioned for Women’s Month 2026, will remind each woman of the strength and character she has always carried in how she leads, she nurtures, she belongs, and she rises.

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“At the heart of this movement was ubuntu,” said Latita Africa chief operating officer Razael Manikus. “When one woman leads, she opens the way for others. When one woman is seen, another woman recognises her own value.”

Learner Nicola Botha said that before the project, dignity meant a form of respect, but it now represented admiration for the voices heard through the project.

“The message placed on the dress that affected me the most was ‘She is worthy’. It reminded me that my efforts still matter, even though the results aren’t always the best,” she said. “Creating something that represents women beyond the school feels powerful. I created something that made women feel heard.”

She added she hoped women would remember their voices create an impact and that they should not be shy to speak up.

Parktown High School for Girls headmistress Gail Davidson said the initiative was appealing when Latita Africa approached the school.

“We are always appealing to our girls to be brave. For us, women’s month is every day. This was a perfect initiative to get our girls involved in.”

Latita Africa and Parktown High School for Girls have reminded her that not only does her work matter, but her voice and choices matter too.

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