The role women play in shaping and moving society forward will come to the fore at the National Women’s Day celebrations in Galeshewe, Kimberley.
President Jacob Zuma is expected to deliver the keynote address tomorrow at the commemoration. The event will be held under the theme ‘The Year of OR Tambo: Women United in Moving South Africa Forward‘.
Every August, South Africa commemorates Women’s Month as a 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.
“This year, on National Women’s Day we pay tribute to women’s contributions to the liberation struggle whilst also observing the centenary of struggle icon OR Tambo and his contributions to the struggle to end gender inequalities,” said the Presidency.
During the Conference of Women in Luanda in 1981, the late Tambo said: “The mobilisation of women is the task, not only of women alone, or of men alone, but of all of us, men and women alike, comrades in struggle.
“The mobilisation of the people into active resistance and struggle for liberation demands the energies of women no less than of men”.
President Zuma said this year’s Women’s Month also takes place against a backdrop of a poor performing global economy.
“Women will be most affected by the economic decline and bear the brunt of its negative economic and social effects.
“We are also faced with increased levels of violence and brutality against women and children in our society. Since the start of this year, a number of incidents of violence and abuse on women have made headlines.”
He said Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on these challenges and for South Africans to together commit to finding lasting solutions.
The 2017 commemoration will build on the commitments made by the President regarding the economic emancipation of women, and its consequent effects on all other aspects of women’s livelihoods.
Government will also be continuing its on-going National Dialogues on Violence against Women in the Northern Cape, as a means to continue the national discourse on the root causes and possible remedies to end violence.
The dialogues are a platform for deepening democracy whilst ensuring safer and crime-free communities – especially for women and children.
Gender based violence victims can call the toll free number on 0800 428 428 (0800 GBV GBV) and will be able to speak to a social worker for assistance and counselling.