Celebrating Women’s Month

In commemoration of the thousands of women who marched to the Union Building in Pretoria, on 9 August 1956, August is celebrated as Womens’ Month.

The historic march, in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women, highlighted the role of women in the struggle against Apartheid.

The Federation of South African Women (Fedsaw) headed by Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and Sophia Williams De Bruyn led the march and delivered a petition, signed by thousands of women, to the Prime Minister’s office, protesting against having their freedom of movement restricted.

Since that eventful day, women, from all walks of life, became equal partners in the struggle for freedom against an unjust government.

The democratic government of South Africa declared August, Women’s Month, and 9 August is celebrated annually as Women’s Day, in acknowledgment of women’s fight for a non-racial and non-sexist South Africa.

South Africa has made significant progress in empowering women in the political, public and educational spheres. In the public sector, especially in Health and Social Development, women constitute larger portion of the workforce.

“Anytime women come together, with a collective intention, it’s a powerful thing”. (Phylicia Rashad)