National Women’s Month Empowering Women in South Africa
Introduction to National Women’s Month 2024
As we commemorate National Women’s Month in August, we pay tribute to the significant roles played by women in the decades of struggle against discrimination, subordination, and exploitation. Furthermore, we reflect on the progress made towards gender equality and social mobility in South Africa. This year, we celebrate 30 years of democracy and the empowerment of women.
The Struggle for Women’s Development
In the past 30 years, we have seen commendable progress in ensuring gender equality and social mobility. For instance, the representation of women in Parliament has increased from 28% in 1994 to 45% in 2019. Additionally, the Representation of Women in Senior Management Positions in the private and government sector workforce has increased from 20% in 2001 to 36% in 2021.
Transforming the Judiciary
As we celebrate National Women’s Month in 2024, we reflect on a century of progress in the legal profession. Women have been practicing law for 101 years now. Moreover, South Africa has made remarkable advancements in diversifying its judiciary. Notably, Justice Mandisa Maya’s appointment as Chief Justice marks a historic milestone. She becomes the first woman to lead the Constitutional Court, our nation’s highest judicial body. This achievement underscores our commitment to gender equality and racial transformation. Indeed, her role as Head of the Apex Court symbolizes how far we’ve come. During this month of recognition, we honor these strides while acknowledging the work that still lies ahead.
Celebrating Women’s Achievements
Moreover, we extend our congratulations to Tatjana Smith, who won South Africa’s first gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Notably, we also welcome the first cohort of Solar Mamas, young South African women who recently completed their initial training in India. This initiative aims to cultivate emerging industrialists through Infant Industries Development, Product Development, Market Access and Expansion to domestic, regional, and global value chains and networking.
Fighting Patriarchy and GBVF
As we commemorate National Women’s Month, we must challenge norms that promote patriarchal chauvinism in our communities. Additionally, we need to intensify our efforts against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). This includes addressing violence perpetrated by intimate partners and family members. Importantly, empowering women economically benefits society as a whole. During this month of recognition, we reaffirm our commitment to gender equality. Furthermore, we must continue to support women’s rights and safety throughout the year. By doing so, we create a more just and equitable society for everyone.
Intensifying Efforts Against GBVF
In this regard, we will intensify initiatives aimed at rallying all South Africans behind the country’s fight against persistent acts of GBVF. We will also fast-track the institutionalization of the National Council GBVF Board as part of the implementation of the National Council on GBVF Act 9 of 2024. This Council is critical for enhancing accountability and strong leadership in government and society at large.
In conclusion, as we launch National Women’s Month, we echo the voices from the First World Conference on Women in 1975. They declared the need to change attitudes toward women to achieve true equality. This August, we have numerous activities planned. These include celebrating National Women’s Day and unveiling the first-ever Report on the Prevalence of GBVF in South Africa. These events emphasize our commitment to gender equality and highlight the ongoing efforts to support women’s rights.