South Africans across the country celebrate National Women's Day
President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address at the National Women's Day commemoration event in the North West today. The official event takes place at the Vryburg Showgrounds in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi District.
Women's Day in 2019 takes place under the theme, '25 Years of Democracy: Growing South Africa together for women's emancipation.'
South Africa dedicates the month of August to all women of the country and highlights the many successes of women and the challenges they still face to achieve full emancipation and freedom.
On the 9th of August 1956, 20,000 women from all backgrounds and cultures marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria. They demanded an end to the Pass Laws that sought to control the movement of women within the country and regarded women as the property of the State.
The Presidency says the 2019 event form part of the country's 25 years of freedom and democracy celebrations.
"It is also an important day that provides an opportunity to recognise the crucial role played by women during the struggle for liberation against colonisation and apartheid," said the Presidency in a statement online.
"The Women's Day commemorations also coincide with the 65th anniversary of the Womens Charter, which brought the ideals and aspirations of women into a single document, in 1954. In this regard, government and all South Africans will take stock of progress that has been made to emancipate women and strengthen efforts to improve their lives," the statement continued.
The Presidency says it is important for Government and all South Africans to reflect on the steps that have been taken, and still need to be walked, to achieve the full emancipation of women.
"Today women play critical and remarkable roles across varying sectors of our society," said the Presidency.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said during his State of the Nation Address that the country continues to battle the challenges posed by femicide and gender-based violence.
Ramaphosa says government is committed to working with civil society and other organisations to develop strategies that successfully curb the scourge.
South Africa dedicates the month of August to all women of the country and highlights the many successes of women and the challenges they still face to achieve full emancipation and freedom.
On the 9th of August 1956, 20,000 women from all backgrounds and cultures marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria. They demanded an end to the Pass Laws that sought to control the movement of women within the country and regarded women as the property of the State.
The Presidency says the 2019 event form part of the country's 25 years of freedom and democracy celebrations.
"It is also an important day that provides an opportunity to recognise the crucial role played by women during the struggle for liberation against colonisation and apartheid," said the Presidency in a statement online.
"The Women's Day commemorations also coincide with the 65th anniversary of the Womens Charter, which brought the ideals and aspirations of women into a single document, in 1954. In this regard, government and all South Africans will take stock of progress that has been made to emancipate women and strengthen efforts to improve their lives," the statement continued.
The Presidency says it is important for Government and all South Africans to reflect on the steps that have been taken, and still need to be walked, to achieve the full emancipation of women.
"Today women play critical and remarkable roles across varying sectors of our society," said the Presidency.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said during his State of the Nation Address that the country continues to battle the challenges posed by femicide and gender-based violence.
Ramaphosa says government is committed to working with civil society and other organisations to develop strategies that successfully curb the scourge.
Today's events are expected to kick-off at 11am.
