Celebrating Women's True Empowerment

On 9 August 1956, about 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the pass laws. National Women’s Day is celebrated on 9 August every year to commemorate that historic event.

The theme for 2013 is A Centenary of Working Together towards Sustainable Women Empowerment and Gender Equality.

Premier Helen Zille said Women’s Day provided an opportunity to reflect on progress society is making towards the true empowerment of women.

“This empowerment can only happen through providing opportunities for women to realise their individual potential and live lives they value. The most important opportunity that any person, man or woman, can receive is a quality education so that they can make informed choices in life and access economic opportunities in the context of a growing and thriving economy,” she said.

The Premier also highlighted the need to recognise the multiple roles played by women in their families and communities.

“We need to affirm that the liberation of women will be achieved when every woman is able to make their own free choices concerning their careers, relationships and health. That is the ultimate goal of all gender activism,” said Premier Zille.

Various activities have been planned by the Western Cape Government during Women’s Month to invest in the women of the Western Cape and to inspire people to value and respect each other.