Government urges SA to celebrate Women's Month

The government called on South Africans on Thursday to commemorate Women’s Month.

The theme this year was “A centenary of working together towards sustainable women empowerment and gender equality”, said spokeswoman Phumla Williams.   A variety of events would be held across the country.

The department of co-operative governance and traditional affairs would mark the start of women’s month with a conference focusing on woman in local government, starting on August 1.

Williams said the Constitution recognised women as equal citizens, with equal rights and responsibilities.

“We are inspired by all patriotic women who took up the fight for gender equality and freedom,” she said in a statement.   The main event for the month would be held on Women’s Day, August 9, at Thulamahashe, in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga.

“We commemorate women’s month, mindful of the growing scourge of child and women abuse.” Williams said.   August 9 is a national holiday to commemorate a march by thousands of women to the Union Buildings in 1956 in protest about extending apartheid pass laws to women.

In terms of these laws, black people had to carry a “pass” which restricted them to certain parts of the country. If they could not produce the pass, or if they were out of their restricted area, they were arrested.