The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, allows everyone the right to dignity and equality before the law. As, we commemorate human rights day, let us honour the milestones achieved since the beginning of the democratic era in South Africa.
The Sharpeville Massacre remains a vivid moment in our national consciousness. Ordinary women and men took to the streets to protests pass laws, a personalised weapon of the institutionalised racism. Marking the end of peaceful resistance in South Africa, the deaths of those 69 South Africans have come to symbolise the importance of human rights in creating a non-racial equal society.
Still, there remain many battles to be fought in post-Apartheid South Africa, especially the struggles of human rights. Women in South Africa have made great strides, yet remain the most impoverished and disempowered members of South African society.
The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) continues this struggle for the rights of women through advocacy, public education and legal representation. Still, this fight cannot alone be won from Constitutional Hill and our various provincial offices. Rather, let this Human Rights day remind us of the power of ordinary South Africans and let it be known that change can only come from the people. The CGE is at the service of the South African people to build a better South Africa.
Enquiries:
Javu Baloyi
Tel: 083 578 3923
