By Bronwyn M Singh
Each year in August, South Africa commemorates Women’s Month and pays tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women; a system meant to control women even further and reduce women to passive beings at the mercy of men.
The theme for this year’s Women’s Month is: ‘Women’s Socio-Economic Rights and Empowerment: Building Back Better for Women’s Improved Resilience’. Women’s Month is not only a tribute to the thousands of women who marched on that day in 1956, but also a tribute to the pioneers of the women’s movement in South Africa, dating back to 1913 when women like Charlotte Maxeke led the way in establishing the ANC Women’s League and encouraged women to engage in the struggle of freedom.
Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world. According to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, there has been progress over the last few decades. More girls are going to school, fewer girls are forced into early marriage, more women are serving in parliament and positions of leadership, and laws are being reformed to advance gender equality.
Two of Newcastle’s female advocates for female independence, Sha-Lee-Sha Mansen and TikTok Influencer Nikita Salik, spoke to the Newcastle Express about their thoughts on gender equality.
“Despite these gains, many challenges remain like discriminatory laws and social norms remain pervasive. Women continue to be underrepresented at all levels of political leadership and many are still experiencing physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner.
“Gender equality also means that men and women have the same access to opportunities and rights in today’s society, regardless of gender. As a young South African woman, gender equality to me is being able to walk into a job interview of any career field, confidently, knowing that I would not be stereotyped against just because I am a woman,” said Mansen.
Nikita Salik said that women should strive to be independent. “I strongly believe in the practice of making women independent. Educating women plays a vital role in women empowerment. Women should have the right to make their own decisions. Previously, women have always been oppressed in patriarchal society. I agree that women empowerment is to assist us to stand equally with men,” said Salik.
