NEHAWU Statement on National Women's Day
Friday August 09, 2024
As NEHAWU, we take this opportunity to pay tribute to the generation of 1956 who marched on this day to the Union Buildings to petition against the legislation that required Africans to carry a "pass". This act of leadership and courage was a clear statement that women were not going to sit idly in the struggle for the emancipation of an oppressed majority. We continue to draw inspiration from their bravery and courage to take on the apartheid government.
We salute heroines like Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, Sophie Williams, Charlotte Maxeke and Frances Baard and many more for their selfless contribution in the struggle for national liberation and transformation of our country. These women and many others dedicated their lives to the freedom of our country.
Indeed, the struggle for liberation of the oppressed in society contains within it the struggle for the liberation of women from racial, class and gender oppression.
As we commemorate this day, we are provided with an opportunity to reflect on how far women have come in their quest for a better society, and their work to dismantle the unequal power relations in society. It serves as an annual reminder that gender oppression, patriarchy, sexism, and racism are all battles that women have been fighting against for decades to create a safe environment that empowers women to take control of their lives.
As we celebrate this day, we recognise the progress that has been achieved for women emancipation and furthermore acknowledge the challenges that still persist, hence the national union reaffirms its commitment to fight relentlessly for the liberation of women against all social ills. This occasion calls upon all of us to redouble our efforts and continue to wage a struggle for women empowerment in our societies.
Lastly, we must place more effort to ensure equality between women and men and to fight for justice for women in the workplace, the labour market and society as a whole. We must intensify campaigns for: awareness and implementation of fair labour and legal rights for women; women representation in higher valued sectors of society including creating formal economy more accessible and attractive to working women and improved and equal wages and salaries for women in the workplace.
END
Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat
Zola Saphetha (General Secretary) at 082 558 5968;
December Mavuso (Deputy General Secretary) at 082 558 5969;
Lwazi Nkolonzi (NEHAWU National Spokesperson) at 081 558 2335 or email: lwazin@nehawu.org.za
Visit NEHAWU website: www.nehawu.org.za Visit https://www.nehawu.org.za