As South Africa commemorated National Women’s Day on 09 August 2023, it is crucial to shed light on the persisting challenges that women confront. While this day honours the 1956 Women’s March to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, which was a powerful stand against discriminatory apartheid laws, we mustn’t lose sight of the hurdles women still face in the present day.

We can agree that our country has made noticeable strides towards gender equality, we see more and more women in leadership roles (there have been a record number of female ministers and deputy ministers’ appointments), however, significant challenges persist in the social landscape. According to the National Business Initiative, Gender Pay Pilot Report (2021), women’s access to economic opportunities and leadership positions is still unequal, with a gender wage gap that underscores the need for further action. Furthermore, gender-based violence (GBV) remains a critical concern in South Africa, as statistic indicates that there are over ten thousand (10 000) rapes every quarter that are related to GBV (Govender, 2023). Moreover, marginalized groups of women, such as those in rural areas and from disadvantaged backgrounds, continue to face additional barriers to equality (World Health Organisation, 2018).

Education is a crucial avenue for empowering women and breaking down societal barriers (World Health Organisation, 2018). Investments in girls’ education can have profound positive impacts, contributing to increased economic productivity, improved health outcomes, and enhanced decision-making abilities (World Health Organisation, 2018). To truly honour the spirit of National Women’s Day, efforts must be directed toward ensuring equal access to quality education for all South African girls.

National Women’s Day in South Africa surpasses being a mere celebration of women’s achievements; it serves as an unwavering reminder of the challenges that women confront. This holiday offers a chance to honour those women who paved the path for progress, while at the same time making sure that we as South Africans (irrespective of gender), are committed to ensuring that our women can flourish without facing discrimination, violence, or inequality. By recognising the significance of this day and proactively instigating substantive changes, we play an active role in shaping a society that stands on the pillars of fairness and equity for all.

The South African government must prioritise the protection of women and the promotion of gender equality. More comprehensive policies and the allocation of resources with the collaboration of civil society organisations need to effectively address the inequalities and challenges that women face, ensuring fair and equal opportunities for women across all sectors of society.

References:

• Govender. I (2023): Gender-based violence- An increasing epidemic in South Africa, Safr Fam Pract, 65 (1):5729.
• National Business Initiative: Gender Pay Pilot Report (2021), accessed via: http://www.nbi.org.za. Accessed on: 08 August 2023.
• World Health Organization (2018): “Violence against women prevalence estimates, 2018.” accessed via: http://www.who.int. Accessed on: 08 August 2023.