WOMEN'S DAY IN SOUTH AFRICA

 Women’s Day in South Africa is celebrated on the 9th of August every year. This day commemorates the 1956 march of approximately 20,000 women to the Union Buildings in Pretoria. This march was led by four women, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, Sophie Williams, and Lilian Ngoyi. They were protesting against the Apartheid regime’s passbook laws. They were part of the Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW) and demanded equal rights and end discrimination against women. The March was a significant event in South Africa’s history, making it a turning point in the fight against apartheid and gender inequality.

We have come very far, but we still face many challenges concerning women's well-being and working conditions in society. According to the latest statistics about two-thirds of the global maternal mortality cases occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. This shows the lack of access to essential reproductive health services, antenatal care, safe childbirth, and contraception. The sad truth is that a lot of these women probably did not want to be pregnant in the first place. Good reproductive health ensures that women can make informed decisions about their bodies and participate in social and economic activities.

We want to ensure that the employers consider implementing policies and practices that support women’s needs such as breastfeeding areas or time off for antenatal care. Providing dedicated lactation rooms is crucial for working mothers because it enables them to breastfeed or express during their break time. employers should consider offering paid leave for prenatal visits allowing women to attend necessary medical appointments without fear of losing income or job security.

Investment in women’s education and healthcare is crucial. Governments, civil society, and private organizations must work together to ensure that girls have access to quality education and women have access to comprehensive healthcare services. We hope that better education will reduce the burden of HIV and its complications in young girls. And with a stronger generation, we can help build a prosperous society and pave the way for future generations of empowered women.

 




 

 

 

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