Every year, in August, South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, to pay 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’s Women’s Month commemoration held under the theme: “Celebrating 30 Years of Democracy Towards Women’s Development” marks the 68th anniversary of the historic march.
During Women’s month we celebrate women as active agents of change and social transformation. The commemoration also allows us to take stock of achievements and the challenges that remain while mobilising support for the further development of women.
The month coincides with the country’s commemoration of 30 Years of Freedom and Democracy, making this year’s Women’s Month an important juncture for collective reflection on how we have empowered and advanced the rights of women in our democratic journey.
This year we also celebrate 30 years of the Women’s Charter, which was established to drive equality. During Women’s Month we will advance the Women’s Charter for Accelerated Development that was formulated in 2021. It aims to accelerate economic reforms to unlock women’s economic progress.
A number of socio-economic empowerment programmes and events will take place during the month including a trade expo, fashion show, and social dialogues.
The programme for National Women’s Month will be co-ordinated by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, and the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, along with a host of government departments and various role players.
