Women’s day

Kgang Moloko

 

Kgang Moloko

NorthWest Province

Bojanala District Municipality

Rustenburg Local Municipality

Phokeng village

17 August 2024

 

Women’s day

 International Women’s Day is on 8 March but in the Republic of South Africa women are honored on 9th August to commemorate the 1956 march by women of all works of life, the march was organized by the Federation of African Women (FEDSAW), different races against pass laws, it was a march that defied the apartheid segregation laws of that time which did not allow the white community to amalgamate with a community of color. Do ordinary citizens know and understand the value or the meaning of the day?

 I went out to find out from the community.

Oupa Sothwane, an elderly male, says he recognizes women’s rights but believes they are over the limit. “It is all about women, it is like men should not be around and be in a different place, that makes other men have no value, our government has given women power and other men feel they have no more voice in their houses.” He said. “ We used to have males attending Makgotla ( different clan’s monthly gatherings or meetings). It ran smoothly, now women have been integrated into Makgotla and it is not always smooth sailing as we see that when they hate a person they have hatred, they use emotions.” He believes that women should not work on some heavy machines due to their physic as it damages their bodies, he does not mean it in a discriminatory way but says it to protect women. “Yes I agree it is their right and choice but feel they should be protected from extremely heavy work.” he added another view “Fathers used to discipline their sons but you cannot anymore as their mothers protect them and they are out of control now and cannot do anything as the mothers are protected by the law”. He concluded by saying “Women must learn to use their rights responsibly and in a right way, it does not mean they should be disrespectful and abusive towards males. Where are the rights of men?”

 Anonymous says she only knows it’s women’s day but she does not know the significance of the day.

 

It is a day about women sharing ideas as mothers on taking care of their children, especially the boys, teaching each other life skills and the development of women. Women must stand up and enter the male-dominated working industries” says Nnana Rangaka. On Gender-based violence, she says it is mostly perpetrated by the partner, co-workers, and even sons. “Every time there are awareness campaigns it is like it fuels more violence against women”. She says more needs to be done.

“We need dedicated centers for victims and receive counseling and assistance to empower victims to be skilled on how to stop the violence”. She said culture spoke about the difference in mourning between married couples and believes wives are oppressed and husbands have it easy. “Men do not wear a jacket the whole 12 months and can go out and be amongst people before and right after the funeral, while a woman lies on a mattress in the bedroom from the day of the death until the burial, has to wear mourning attire for 12 months and not mix with other people.” She adds “She should be home by 12 midday and not allowed outside after sunset, which is not the same to males which are discriminating.” She believes this oppression must be revised. She says in other cultures women are not allowed to enter into draws negotiations even though a woman is discussed and should be changed. Lastly “Women circumcision should be banned as it violates women’s body and dignity. I say women’s rights should be recognized and protected, women deserve better lives”.

 Women have a role to play in our society and must be given space to prosper. More needs to be done on the ground to promote their rights and for the ordinary citizens to be informed of their rights and to take charge. There is a gap between men and women in understanding women’s rights and how to integrate the two into a harmonious life.

A program is needed for better integration of both genders to understand the rights and find common ground in promoting and protecting women’s rights.