This August, history reminds us of the 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956, calling for the free movement of black women in South African urban areas.
This act illustrated the sisterhood bond that the early feminist thinkers aspired to, since women from different backgrounds and races participated in the march. The women who participated in the protest challenged the systematic oppressive and racist rules of the apartheid regime.
As one reflects on this phenomenon, one recognises solidarity among the women of 1956, as they dispelled the perception that women cannot unite for a common cause. It also creates an impression that South African men and women are comrades in the struggle. They fought against colonialism and apartheid and, to some extent, share similar experiences regarding the violation of human rights. Therefore, the most logical action is to have a common understanding of systematic oppression, violation and exclusion.
Post-apartheid and 28 years into democracy, South African women still find themselves existing within similar conditions as the past. Most people invested efforts in unpacking women’s experiences as victims of gender-based violence (GBV), as well as the causes and possible remedies for the plight of GBV. Undoubtedly, GBV has presented itself as a social ill and demonstrates the coercive power dynamics that exist within society.
Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa has declared GBV as the second South African pandemic, yet the government has not undertaken active efforts to respond to the scourge. Instead, the state has paid lip service to what needs to be done to ensure the safety of women in the country. Between October and December 2021, more than 900 South African women were reportedly killed. But there are many unreported cases relating to GBV and femicide.
Approximately 51% of South African women have experienced some form of violence. Given this scenario, the free movement of women in this country is far from being realised.
GBV has distracted us from recognising other existing complex problems experienced by women in South Africa – unemployment being one of them.
The day of 9 August marks the celebration of the monumental achievement by women of 1956 who fought against sexist and racial segregation. Those women understood their enemy, hence they united in dealing with the enemy.
Present-day women are confronted with intersecting challenges. I believe South Africa should not commemorate Women’s Month, since women still do not have freedom and still experience the violation of their human rights.
We need active solutions, like the 1956 women, to mitigate our challenges. There is nothing to celebrate about being a woman in South Africa, since womanhood is subjected to abuse, violation and exclusion.
Without minimising the efforts and contributions of those who came before us, we should mourn the social injustices directed at, and the traumatic experiences of, South African women.
) Nontombi Velelo is a PhD student, Social Science programme director and Sociology lecturer at the University of the Free State (UFS).
