Womens Day

International Women’s Day is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8 as a focal point in the women’s rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.

Womens Day

Why are we celebrating women’s day in South Africa?

The public holiday, marked every year on August 9 in South Africa, commemorates a historic protest of unjust laws under the then-apartheid regime. “It comes from the call to action in 1956 by 20,000 women who marched onto the union buildings in Pretoria, singing, ‘Wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo!’

What is the purpose of women’s day?

International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women, who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.

What happened on August 9 1956 in South Africa?

On 9 August 1956, about 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against legislation aimed at tightening the apartheid government’s control over the movement of black women in urban areas.

What is womens month in South Africa?

August

South Africa commemorates Women’s Month in August as a tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women. The Government of South Africa declared August women’s month and 9 August is celebrated annually as Women’s Day.