10 Interesting Facts About Women’s Month (SA)

10 Interesting Facts About Women’s Month (SA). The Government of South Africa declared August women’s month and 9 August is celebrated annually as Women’s Day. The following facts will increase your knowledge on the history of Women’s Month and what has been achieved over the years.

1. On 9 August 1956, more than 20 000 women from all walks of life united in a mass demonstration to the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
2. They protested against the unjust pass laws enforced on women in South Africa.
3. The women were led by Lilian Ngoyi – a trade unionist and political activist, Helen Joseph, Albertina Sisulu, and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn.
4. These leaders delivered petitions to the then Prime Minister JG Strijdom’s office in the Union Buildings.
5. SA women had put their names to these petitions indicating their anger and frustration at having their freedom of movement restricted by the official passes.
6. This historic march was a turning point in the role of women in the struggle for freedom and society at large. Since then, women from all walks of life became equal partners in the struggle for a non-racial and non-sexist South Africa.
7. Women’s Month is also a tribute to the pioneers of the women’s movement. Back in 1913, women like Charlotte Maxeke led the way in establishing the ANC Women’s League and encouraged women to engage in the struggle for freedom.
8. August also serves to recall and recognize the work of Dora Tamana, Winifred Siqwana, Ida Mntwana, Bertha Gxowa, Florence Matomela and other stalwarts of the 1950s, who led militant women’s formation for the rights of workers and women.
9. In remembrance of what South African women achieved on that day, 9 August has been declared as National Women’s Day and is a public holiday in South Africa.
10. Women’s Month 2019 will be celebrated under the theme ‘25 Years of Democracy: Growing South Africa Together for Women’s Emancipation’.