Women celebrated countrywide

2008-08-09 22:27

Johannesburg - Women's Day on Saturday was marked by a mixture of activities that celebrated womanhood and at the same time urged further strides in protecting and advancing women's rights.

Women's day is celebrated internationally in March, but in South Africa, August 9 marks the day in 1956 that thousands of women descended on the Union Buildings in Pretoria to demand the withdrawal of pass requirements for women, and the repeal of the pass laws.

A "pass book" or a "dompas" was a document that severely restricted black South Africans' freedom of movement during apartheid. It contained details of areas that the holder was limited to, and violation of this, or not being able produce the pass book, was punishable by imprisonment or forced labour.

At first only black men had to carry passes, but in 1956 the Nationalist government decided to extend it to black women, who organised the march.

Women's Day events on Saturday ranged from South Africa's "largest belly dance show" in Cape Town, a documentary film festival by female film makers in Johannesburg, to a speech by President Thabo Mbeki calling on the nation to stand up against the abuse of women.

Violence slammed

"Violence against women violates the rights and undermines the dignity of our sisters, mothers and daughters. It undermines our democratic victory," said Mbeki at a function in Ga-Matlala, North West.

A survey released by Ipsos Markinor found that about 26% of South African women feel their personal safety has deteriorated, with women over 50% feeling the most vulnerable.

Mbeki paid tribute to murdered 27-year-old KwaZulu-Natal Master of Science student Gail Papli, saying: "As we celebrate our women on this day, we remember Gail and many others whose lives were brutally snuffed out through unacceptable criminal violence.

Papli was stabbed to death in February and her boyfriend is due in court in September to face a charge of murder.

"Equally, we would like to make an earnest appeal to community structures and in particular, families, to stand up against and report incidents of women and children abuse," Mbeki said.

Economic empowerment

He also urged the further empowerment of women, especially in the private sector.

He said South Africa was inspired by countless heroines, and listed names like Gertrude Shope, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and, his mother, Epainette.

He about the forthcoming "War on Poverty Campaign", to be led by Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka which would help address some of the issues women and families face, which include increasing food and fuel prices.

Mlambo-Ngcuka, in a speech on the eve of Women's Day said that the women's movement was in danger of collapse, and urged women to refocus it in line with the priorities of eradicating poverty, unemployment and under-development.

TNS Research Surveys said that research showed that gender differences had declined somewhat since 2006, but also found that women lived in slightly worse circumstances than men.

While they are less involved in the formal workplace, more women are looking for work than men, researchers found.

"They are also less involved in the formal banking sector but they do have more store cards or retail accounts."

Protected

ANC president Jacob Zuma said National Women's Day should be protected against being "diluted" to suit commercial interests and should remain a political holiday.

"National Women's Day is the celebration of the role and contribution of women to public life, in the struggle for freedom, in the building of a new non-racial and democratic South Africa and in building our future."

Speaking at a half filled Zuka Baloi Stadium in Welkom, Zuma said the day should be protected from being "de-politicised" of which signs were already evident.

"These (efforts) appear to be designed to turn the day into something frivolous, similar to either Valentine's Day or Mother's Day," Zuma said.

An event in KwaZulu-Natal was cancelled on Saturday after a strong wind blew the event marquee down.

KwaZulu-Natal director general in the premier's office Kwazi Mbanjwa said the marquee and speakers were erected for the event in Eshowe before dawn and were ready to be cleared for safety by inspectors before a strong wind blew up and collapsed it.

Five years ago Soraya Scott was paralysed from the waist down when a tent collapsed on her as she walked onto the stage to collect a Women's Day award at the Union Buildings.

A statement from the mayor of the Zululand District Municipality, VZ KaMagwaza-Msibi, called on women to participate in all the municipality's projects.

Focus on education

In Tshwane, Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa said the province was getting more girl pupils to finish matric than before and spoke about their skill in mathematics and science.

He told the audience at the Union Buildings about the province's plans for 20 early childhood development centres which would be children's day-care facilities with an educational slant.

This, his spokesperson Simon Zwane explained, was in response to many women sacrificing their own work potential and staying home to help their children get a better start in education.

Meanwhile, South Africa's Olympic athletes in Beijing, China, were treated to a Women's Day visit by Zanele Mbeki, wife of president Thabo Mbeki.

But for many women, Women's Day was like any other Saturday - a day of catching up on chores, spending time with family and friends, with hopefully a few moments to put their feet up.

- SAPA