WOMENS MONTH: As South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, we must reflect on the past while forging a future where every woman’s potential is recognised and nurtured. Join us in embracing the theme "Empowered Women Empower Nations," a call to action for collective responsibility towards gender equality and economic prosperity
Every August, South Africans pause to commemorate Women's Month.
This annual remembrance must be more than a tribute to the heroines of 1956. It must be a moment of national introspection. This year's theme, "Empowered Women Empower Nations", reminds us that when women are empowered to learn, lead, innovate and succeed, they do not transform only their own lives, but also shape the future of South Africa.
Women's Month must therefore compel us to confront one of the defining questions of our democracy: Can South Africa achieve inclusive economic growth while millions of women remain on the periphery of our economy?
Our democracy was built by women who challenged the injustices of apartheid. Charlotte Maxeke understood that education was indispensable to liberation. Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn mobilised thousands of women in the historic 1956 Women's March, while Albertina Sisulu and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela exemplified courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment throughout the liberation struggle. Together with countless ordinary women, they understood that political freedom would remain incomplete unless women enjoyed equal opportunities to participate in the economic, social and political life of the nation.
