Let’s adopt the fighting Spirit of Women of 1956

Analysing the socio-economic situation of women over 100 years ago, an American activist, Charlotte Gilman, observed that a woman ‘is feminine more than enough, as a man is masculine more than enough; but She is not human as He is human’.

The annual crime figures and those from other state departments paint a picture of women under attack.

According to National Department of Social Development, over 18 000 incidents of gender-based violence were recorded between 2021 and 2023.

These figures do not include many unreported cases of violence against women.

This is a rude reminder of the less than human status allocated to women by chauvinist male folks as reports show a significant increase in murder, attempted murder, and assault crimes against women.

In Gauteng, the Joburg district reported the highest number of domestic violence cases, amounting to 4414, or 38.5%, of a total of 11454 cases in the province.

This then bears a question of safety for women as we prepare to celebrate the 68th commemoration of the South African women’s march to the then citadel of apartheid, Pretoria, in 1956.

The brave and organised women took to the streets and marched against a legislation that sought to further humiliate Africans.

African women were also required to carry “passes”, a special identification document that infringed on the bearers’ freedom of movement and freedom of economic life.
The march was led by the brave Lillian Ngoyi, Albertina Sisulu, Sophie Williams-DeBruyn (pictured), to name a few.

The act, by itself, was both a clarion call for resistance and an indication of indignation against patriarchy, super-exploitation of women and the system of apartheid.

With the obliteration of the embedded social, economic and racial segregation imposed on women, we should all be celebrating.

But alas, new pressing and alarming challenges have reared their heads to further complicate the challenges that we face as a country.

The scourge of crime, teenage pregnancy, rape of women and children, abuse of elderly women, youngsters with mental and physical disabilities, threatens to reduce our democracy to an empty shell for millions. Have we not reproduced strong and brave women to contend with the current ills that we find our country facing?

When are we going to stand together and say enough is enough and take charge of making our South Africa the best place?

Violent crimes such as sexual and domestic abuse continue to rise in Gauteng, both reported and unreported.

The Gauteng Department of Social Development with its sister Department of Community Safety have integrated their efforts to conduct a number of awareness and road shows, a joint venture between South African Police Services (SAPS), Department of Health and the department.

Each police station produces its own environmental scan that outlines the issues within their policing precinct and the quarterly statistics are helping stakeholders to implement the informed interventions within the communities and hotspot areas. In each of the areas which the road show has taken place, rape and grievous bodily harm (GBH) are the common denominator.

In other areas, they target children as young as two years and elderly women who are sexually assaulted. This then poses the question, is this how we want to celebrate women? What do these abusive men take women for? Could it be that they see bashing objects in women? What kind of men commit such hideous acts, removing them from the society is it the ONLY solution to this pandemic?

It is however heartening to observe initiatives such as Men’s Forum and Men As Safety Promoters (MASP) attempting to fight the scourge of gender-based violence.

These men are some of the country’s positive male role models, who stand against the scourge of GBV.
This indicates that not all hope is lost, there are men out there who are willing to do away with gender stereotypes and be part of the solution.

Men in Prayer, Character Building and Social Behaviour Change, Men in Dialogue to end GBVF, Not in My Name, Act Now are some of the partners.

Such initiatives seek to contribute to reduction of violence against vulnerable groups and also deal with the impact that violence has on men in order to promote a violence-free society for women and children.

As we celebrate Women’s Day on 09 August, we must reflect on the kind of societal outlook that we expect or wish for in the next decade. Upon imagining that, draw back on the contribution that you have made to the generations to come. It will be great to look back and say I was part of the history just like women of 1956, and say I contributed to fighting the challenges that face our society and I had left behind the legacy that has brought about change in my country. Let us all be true patriots and make a positive impact not matter the size.

Faith Mazibuko is the MEC for Social Development in Gauteng