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

Sixty-six years later, Women’s Month should not only be used as a moment of historical significance but should be used as a moment of true reflection, as an opportunity to assess the progress society has made within democratic South Africa to truly advance the equal rights of women. 

With challenges such as rampant gender-based violence against women and girls, women being more acutely impacted by socio-economic inequality, poverty as well as unemployment and a lack of representation in leadership positions across society, much is yet to be achieved in realising substantive equality for women within South Africa.

Despite these challenges, women continue to shine, bursting through the societal glass ceiling that continues to suppress and oppress so many within South Africa. Women’s Month should be used as a moment to celebrate and reflect these individuals and extend the inspiration their stories have. 

On the 23^rd of July 2022, Banyana Banyana, South Africa’s National Women’s football team gave the nation reason to celebrate. Their road to glory began as they qualified for the Women’s World Cup, to be held in 2023 in New Zealand and Australia, by beating Tunisia 1-0 in the quarter finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on the 14^th July 2022 and then culminated by winning the overall competition by beating Morocco 2-1, at home, in Rabat. 

On the eve of Women’s month, Banyana Banyana’s victory along with their second consecutive qualifying for the Women’s World Cup, raised serious questions about their renumeration. Their consistency has most certainly elevated them to surpassing their male counterparts and thus raised questions as to why they are paid less, have less sponsorship and once again raised questions around the development of women’s football and sports in general. Therefore, the nation rejoiced as Sports, Arts and Culture Minister, Nathi Mthethwa, said that moves are afoot to sort out the pay disparity between men’s and women’s football.

Similarly, our Springbok Women, in the lead up to and during Women’s Month, made South Africa proud. Currently, boasting a three-match winning streak, one match against Japan on the 30^th July and two tests against Spain during August, the Springbok Women are well on their way to represent South Africa in the World Cup in New Zealand due to start in October this year.

Finally, within the theme of sports, Tatjana Schoenmaker, grabbed the gold as she dominated the Women’s 200m Breaststroke event at the Commonwealth Games, on the 31^st July 2022. 

Sports has always been a unifying catalyst for South African society and women took the forefront in giving us a sense of national pride, particularly in the lead up to and during Women’s Month. However, they continue to shine in other societal spaces as well.

Quoting from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Women’s Day 2022 keynote address, the President highlights how women’s impact permeates throughout society: “Last year, more females passed the matric exams and got more distinctions than their male counterparts. 

There are currently more female students enrolled at institutions of higher learning than males.

 Close to half of our Members of Parliament, judges and magistrates are women.

 More than 60 per cent of public servants are women.”

Returning to the President’s address, it is clear that women continue to beat the odds by achieving heights which are exceptional, odds which inhibit substantive equality: “With the right support, they can become anything they want to be, from star soccer players to fighter pilots, judges, members of Parliament, businesswomen and entrepreneurs.

But for many young women, there are several obstacles they first need to overcome.

In South Africa, like many countries around the world, women bear the brunt of poverty.

Three-quarters of female-headed households live in poverty.

The slow growth of our economy and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly hard on women, youth, and persons with disabilities.”

What Women’s Month brings to the forefront is that women in South Africa can reach stratospheric heights given an enabling environment. These moments of inspiration will be amplified if South African society values the advancement of women by investing in women’s sports, education, entrepreneurship, employment, poverty alleviation and curbing violence against women and girls and ensure that society is safe for all. 

Image credit: https://thefootballkings.com/