We have noticed significant change in awareness levels around the importance of access to sport for girls and women. Though we firmly believe this is an on-going process, during the month of August, the emphasis on the state of gender inequality in South Africa allows us to collectively raise questions, engage in debate, and action change in an effort to reach an equal playing field.
In two days on August 9th, South Africa – in addition to recognizing the International Women’s Day of 8th March – celebrates its very own National Women’s Day. Since 1994 Women’s Day has been a public holiday, but the roots of the celebration are found in 1956, when 20, 000 women marched on Pretoria to petition against a further strengthening of the pass laws.
The march was regarded as an expression of courage and determination of the country’s women, which represented all races and layers of society, and had delegates from as far away as Cape Town and Port Elisabeth. Then prime minister J. G. Strijdom refused to meet with the women, but was delivered 100, 000 signatures the Federation of South African Women collected in protest to the further restriction on people’s movement planned by the apartheid government. On the South African government’s web pages it is noted this “was a turning point in the role of women in the struggle for freedom and society at large. Since that eventful day, women from all walks of life became equal partners in the struggle for a non-racial and non-sexist South Africa.” FSAW continued to work closely with the ANC, and showed continuously how “the stereotype of women as politically inept and immature, tied to the home, was outdated and inaccurate.”
These days, the South African government has declared the entire month of August is to be considered Women’s Month and the African Union has further declared 2010-2020 to be African Women’s Decade. This focus is commendable and South Africa’s progressive constitution, gender equality policies and strong commitment to the UN’s Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) indicates things are moving in the right direction. However, most women in South Africa still experience on a daily basis the gender discrimination ingrained in society. Despite advances made in political life, women are under-represented in the economy and young girls are a high-risk group as victims of crime, rape and HIV-infection. Recognizing one day out of 365 is not enough.
Still, National Women’s Day serves as a much needed pause for reflection over where South Africa is today, and where it wants to be in terms of gender equality. Speeches and marches are held, in addition to more informal events to celebrate strength and determination. Today, and on the remaining 364 days of the year, we encourage all South Africans to collectively work towards gender equality – now, more than ever.
