WOMEN'S MONUMENT

August is dedicated as women’s month as women were celebrating women’s day around the country, Gauteng province also had to have their own celebration. National women’s day in Gauteng was celebrated at the Lilian Ngoyi square where the women’s monument is placed, women came out in numbers to celebrate women who made history and the women of today.

The women’s living heritage monument which was unveiled last year commemorates the story of women’s contribution to the liberation struggle and features four statues of stalwarts Lilian Ngoyi, Sophia Williams-de Bruyn and Rahima Moosa. These are the women who were leading about 20 000 from all over the country led a peaceful protest to the union buildings in 1956.

61 years later this day is still celebrated under a slogan saying Wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo! (You touch a women, you have struck a rock). This day is celebrated every year in honour to the women who have paved ways for women today, which gave women a voice and equal opportunities in society.

The premier of Gauteng David Makhura was one of the speakers who gave his message for women’s day, encouraging women to take change by taking leadership positions in society. Makhura said “women have always been the forefront, the place of women is not in the kitchen the place of women is in businesses’, politics, community structures, the place of women is where other human beings are.”

Today’s event also highlighted the issues women face today, from the recent women and children killings, rape, assaults, gender equality and other issues women are facing. Organisations such as the gender commission, the progressive women’s movement and other organisations came to support the event with speeches celebrating women and urging women to stand up against women and children abuse.

Gauteng province has launched a major campaign the campaign to empower girl children and to improve the lives of all young women, the premier said “we have one million dignity packs that we are going to give one million girl children around Gauteng, we want to educate a girl child.”

Women on the ground hope that the issues affecting women are not only highlighted on women’s day but steps to be further taken every day to protect women and children. The safety of women and children is always questioned especially during these days where everyday women and children murdered every day. This year’s women’s day events focus mainly on these issues and spreads awareness.

By: Mahlatse Makhafola