Today as the country celebrates Women’s Day, many families are still coming to terms with the loss of their children after they were murdered, raped and suffered at the hands of their partners.
It is a holiday where the government, different political parties, civil organisations and normal citizens have a number of activities lined up to commemorate this day.
Hundreds of South African women are still subject to harsh economic hardship and victims of gender-based violence and those who are working are still in the struggle to be paid equal as their male counterparts.
On this day, the country also pays tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on August 9, 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women. A system meant to control women and reduce women to passive beings, at the mercy of men.
Speaking at the annual conference gala dinner of the South African Chapter of the International Association of Women Judges (SAC-IAWJ) on August 6, President Cyril Ramaphosa called on law enforcement to arrest criminals who commit crime against women and children.
Ramaphosa said news of a gang rape of eight young women by armed men at West Village in Krugersdorp, west of Joburg brought home the horror that confronts many women in our country and around the world.
“No society can lay claim to being non-sexist if that country’s women live in fear, and where sexual assault, domestic and intimate partner violence and femicide, is an ever-present threat,” Ramaphosa said.
He said this terrible crime was not an isolated incident.
Ramaphosa said the same week, more women were assaulted, raped and murdered in different parts of the country.
“We are in the grip of what is no less than an unrelenting war on the bodies of the women and children of this country.
“We know that in many jurisdictions in the world, women and girls are also subjected to trafficking, discrimination, abuse, exploitation and the worst forms of violence,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the state has a constitutional and moral duty to protect women against all forms of gender-based violence, which continue to impair the exercise of their fundamental rights and freedoms.
“Law enforcement agencies must do everything in their power to ensure that criminals who have violated the fundamental rights of women and children, are caught.
“Our courts have a duty to prosecute them without fear or favour, and in doing so send a message that gender-based violence will not be tolerated,” he said.
Ramaphosa said: “As government we will continue to work with our social partners to implement the national strategic plan on gender-based violence and femicide by affording greater protection to vulnerable groups.”
This year’s Women’s Month is celebrated under the theme: “Women’s Socio-Economic Rights and Empowerment: Building Back Better for Women’s Improved Resilience”. The concept of generation equality is a global campaign and links South Africa to global efforts to achieve gender equality by 2030.
Cope said in a media statement that the women of today must accept the challenge that they must fight for their survival because men and the government have failed them.
The Star is wishing all women from all walks of life a “Happy Women’s Day”, to all strong and resilient women out there, womandla!!!! [email protected]
Activities to look out for
The Gauteng Community Safety MEC Faith Mazibuko and a group of women to march to the High Court and the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Women For Change Virtual Race, has encouraged virtual running of various distances from 2.5km, 5km, 10km or 21km, anywhere in the country to raise awareness against gender-based violence in South Africa.
EFF commemorate Women’s Day rally in Matatiele Eastern Cape, it will be addressed by leader Julius Malema.
City of Joburg Mayor Mpho Phalatse will kick-start the 7000-participant annual Totalsports Women’s Day race at Marks Park Sports Club, Emmarentia, Joburg to highlight the role of women in society and health issues and promote healthy lifestyles in communities following a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions.