Commission on Gender Equality to celebrate Women’s Month, 1 - 31
Aug

28 July 2006

The Commission on Gender Equality (CGE) in partnership with the Independent
Electoral Commission (IEC), Constitution Hill Heritage Education and Tourism
(HET) will be celebrating the Women’s Month at the Women’s Jail, Constitution
Hill. This is in acknowledgement of the struggle for freedom and democracy by
20 000 women in 1956 that marched to present their petition to then the Prime
Minister, Mr JG Strydom. The protesters expressed their anger with the song,
“you struck a woman, you struck a rock”. To date, this is the biggest mass
gathering of women ever held in South Africa.

The celebrations that will take place during the Women’s Month (August) and
will be hosted under the theme: “South African Women, Yesterday, Today, and
Tomorrow.” The significance of the theme is rooted in the three major
milestones that have been achieved in South Africa, through the involvement of
women in struggle for liberation.

The three milestones are:
* 50th anniversary of the Women’s march to the Union Buildings
* 10th anniversary of the South African Constitution
* 10th anniversary of the Commission on Gender Equality establishment.

This year also marks the 10th anniversary of our Constitution which also
entrenches our human rights. In order for Constitution to be effective, all
South Africans have a responsibility to respect, promote and enforce these
rights. In celebration of the anniversary, the IEC is also committed to
promoting effective women representation in all spheres of Government.

The CGE aims to transform society by exposing gender discrimination in laws,
policies and practices, advocating changes in sexist attitudes and gender
stereotypes, and instilling respect for women’s rights as human rights. This
year, the CGE will also be celebrating the 10 years of establishment. The
institution has achieved a lot in promoting and supporting democracy since its
establishment.

The programme for Women’s Month is outlined as follows:
Venue: 2 Kotze Street, Women’s Jail, Constitution Hill, Braamfontein

Date: 2 August 2006
Launch of Women’s Month by Minister of Home Affairs, Ms. Nosiviwe Mapisa
Nqakula
Time: 12h30 - 15h00

Date: 15 August 2006
Dialogue on: The role of the CGE within the Constitution and the Bill of
Rights
Time: 12h30 – 15h00

Date: 22 August 2006
Dialogue on: Men as part of the solution to violation of Women’s Rights
Time: 12h30 – 15h00

Date: 29 August 2006
Dialogue on: South African Women, yesterday, today, tomorrow
Time: 12h30 – 15h00

Enquiries: Joan de Klerk
Tel: (011) 403 7182
Fax: (011) 403 7712
E-mail: joan@cge.org.za

Issued by: Commission on Gender Equality
28 July 2006
Source: Commission on Gender Equality (http://www.cge.org.za)