By: Carmen Jolene Smidt
As August comes to a close, South Africa once again commemorates Women’s Month, a time to honour the indomitable spirit of its women. This year’s theme, “Women’s Socio-Economic Rights and Empowerment: Building Back Better for Women’s Improved Resilience,” resonates powerfully in a world striving for gender equality by 2030 through the Generation Equality campaign.
At the heart of this month’s observance is the legacy of the 20,000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956, protesting the extension of Pass Laws to women. These laws aimed to render women passive and subservient, amplifying the control of men. Their actions marked a pivotal moment in history, symbolizing the beginning of a long and hard-fought struggle for gender equality in South Africa.
Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Albertina Sisulu, and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn are the names that echo through the decades, representing the courageous women who stood at the forefront of the 1956 march. However, the roots of the women’s movement in South Africa run deeper, back to 1913 when Charlotte Maxeke founded the ANC Women’s League, encouraging women to join the fight for freedom. Pioneers like Cissy, Jaynab, and Amina Gool played pivotal roles in the National Liberation League and the non-European United Front of the 1930s.
The 1940s saw Amina Pahad and Gadijah Christopher leading the way in the 1946 Passive Resistance Campaign as the first volunteers to occupy the Umbilo Road in Durban. These names, along with Ray Alexander Simons, Elizabeth Mafikeng, and Elizabeth Abrahams, are forever woven into the women’s struggles.
We pay homage to the unsung heroes of the women’s movement who participated in the women’s movement since 1913, 1930s, 1940s, and 1956 march, the launching of the Pan-African Women in 1962, and the 1983 United Democratic Front launch. Recognition of all women who contributed to the women’s movement is crucial. Without these thousands of women present, the gains in gender equality and empowerment would not be possible.
Since the dawn of democracy in 1994, South Africa has made significant strides in addressing the deep-rooted gender inequalities inherited from the apartheid era. Apartheid’s legacy of marginalization and exclusion left women, especially black women, bereft of political representation, equitable healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.
Continuous attempts have ensued to correct these imbalances throughout the past 29 years. Every aspect of government has mechanisms set up to empower women, and laws have gender equality at their core. However, concerns continue regarding the speed at which transformational activities implementation executed in recent years.
The challenges persist. While progress in elevating some women’s voices has happened, vulnerable women remain on the margins. The African Union’s resolution for women’s financial and economic inclusion calls for special attention. This directive echoes in South Africa, emphasizing the need to bridge the digital divide that isolates many vulnerable women from the benefits of technology.
It is crucial to understand that when gender equality is a monolithic issue, some voices get silenced. Stereotyping, whether perpetuated by men or women, must be cast aside. Instead, convergence between women and men by identifying common ground will ensure the pursuance of equity for women and girls. Transformative leadership offers a path forward.
Transformative leadership standards should infiltrate every aspect of gender equality efforts. This approach advocates for a harmonious partnership between men and women, all driven by respect and a shared vision. These leaders can uplift families, communities, and the nation by working together to achieve equity. Such unity will have a ripple effect across the continent and the globe.
In celebration of Women’s Month, we must heed to build:
- Diverse Inclusion: Let’s embrace transformative leadership by fostering a diverse, inclusive environment to ensure women from all backgrounds have a voice at every level of society.
- Men as Allies: Men who advocate for women’s equity play a crucial role and are allies in the journey towards gender equality, and their involvement will lead to a more holistic transformation.
- Education and Engagement: Efforts to promote gender equality should be mirrored in educational institutions and workplaces, engaging everyone to understand the importance of women’s empowerment for the well-being of society as a whole.
The 2023 South African Women’s Month commemorations comes to an end. We take stock of the struggles overcome and the advancements made. We take note of the persistent issues that women face and the necessity to play a role in finding solutions. We can remove obstacles, create a society where women thrive, and contribute to a more just and equitable society by embracing transformative leadership and cooperating.
* Ambassador Carmen Jolene Smidt Former RSA Ambassador to Finland and Estonia Internationalist & Transformant
