Women’s Day in South Africa turns 70 with equality still out of reach | Women’s Rights
Women’s Day: A Reflection on the Legacy of the 1956 March
Every year on August 9, South Africa commemorates Women’s Day, a date steeped in the legacy of a powerful protest. The day resonates with the chant, “You have struck a woman,” followed by the response, “so, you have struck a rock.” This call-and-response reflects a historic journey that began in 1956 when approximately 20,000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria against apartheid-era pass laws aimed at African women.
The march, a pivotal moment in South Africa’s struggle for equality, was spearheaded by the multiracial Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW) alongside the Women’s League of the African National Congress (ANC). As domestic workers faced the threat of random stops and searches, largely due to proposed legislation targeting African women, these activists mobilized to voice their dissent.
On that fateful Thursday — known as “Sheila’s Day,” a term colloquially used to refer to Black domestic workers — women from diverse backgrounds began their journey to the seat of government at dawn. By 9 a.m., they had gathered outside the office of the Minister for Native Affairs, standing resolutely against the impending legislation.
As a delegation submitted their petition, they sang defiantly, addressing then-Prime Minister J.G. Strijdom: “Strijdom, you have struck the women, so you have struck a rock.”
The women who participated in the march paved the way for future generations. Many who took part had defied the objections of male counterparts and family members, pushing for acknowledgment of the intersections of race, class, and gender in their plight. Their struggles underscored that sexism was not separate from the larger fight against apartheid; women’s rights within liberation movements remain a crucial concern.
Although the rally did not succeed in halting the pass laws, it significantly influenced the political landscape, helping to launch an enduring women’s movement. The defiance demonstrated that day inspired later generations of activists, equipping them with the tools needed to advocate for their rights.
Following the end of apartheid in 1994, many of the women who had led the 1956 march continued their political involvement. Their efforts contributed to a transformation in the country’s political structure, resulting in a parliamentary makeup where nearly one-third of representatives were women, positioning South Africa as a leader in gender representation.
These women advocated for progressive legal and policy reforms concerning reproductive rights, marriage, and the rights of domestic workers. As a result, South Africa established some of the world’s most advanced laws promoting gender equity. Today, women still hold about 45% of parliamentary seats and 44% of ministerial positions.
However, the strides in legal rights have not ensured safety for women. South Africa’s first national gender-based violence study highlights the alarming reality that 33.1% of women aged 18 and older have experienced physical violence. This crisis underscores the gap between formal legal equality and the actual lived experiences of many women, revealing that shifts in policy do not always align with societal attitudes and behaviors.
In economic terms, a stark disparity remains. While women in positions of power enjoy rights that were previously inaccessible, many women in impoverished communities continue to face high unemployment rates, gender-based violence, and inadequate access to essential services. The ANC-led government has struggled to address the systemic economic issues rooted in apartheid, leaving many women in material poverty despite formal advancements.
As Women’s Day is observed, the disparities in statistics often leave many feeling disheartened. The women’s movement ignited by the 1956 march retains valuable lessons for ongoing advocacy. It is evident that achieving gender equality requires more than the voices of women alone; it necessitates the willingness of men to listen and respond.
The fight for gender equality continues, echoing the history of resilience and activism that has shaped South Africa’s women’s movement over the past seven decades.
