The African National Congress Women's League (ANCWL) says it will use its organizational capacity to ensure a ruling party majority victory in the 2014 national elections. South Africa will vote for new leaders next year., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
Author: Jackson Mthembu
Women`s Day
8 August 2013
The African National Congress wishes all South Africans an introspective and reflective day tomorrow, 9th August, as the country marks Women`s Day. Women`s Day provides an opportunity for all South Africans, men and women alike, to recall and honour the immeasurable role played by women in sustaining and nurturing our young democracy, our country and indeed our very humanity. Most importantly it creates an opportunity for South Africans to reflect on the gains made and the challenges still faced by women in our country.
Since the 1913 anti-pass campaign in the Free State, South African women have remained resolutely at the forefront of the struggle for the liberation and emancipation of our people as a whole, not only women. This our heroines did because they understood that the South African struggle mirrored their own and most markedly, they bore the harshest brunt of the evil system of apartheid and patriarchy which oppressed them as a class, as women and as black people. The ANC therefore pays homage to these gallant fighters, many recognised for their role in ushering in our democracy and the many more who still remain nameless and faceless but are the unshakeable rock upon which we will continue to build our future and from which we shall always draw strength and inspiration.
South Africa is a better place for women than it was in 1994. However, despite the many successes recorded by the ANC government, women continue to bear the brunt of poverty, underdevelopment and unemployment. Legislated patriarchy has been removed from the statute books but women continue to be subjected to gender based violence; each incident an inhuman act that should leave South Africans outraged and united in our collective quest to eradicate all forms of discrimination and marginalization. In this regard, the ANC welcomes the re-establishment of the Sexual Offences Courts and trust that these will go a long way in providing much needed protection to a large number of victims and survivors of sexual crimes. The challenges faced by women occur in society, perpetrated by members of society, it is time for society as a whole therefore to take ownership and never to look away but as a people act against sexual abuse and violence.
1994 marked the beginning of the journey towards freedom for all South Africans. It is a fact that none amongst us will ever be totally free until women are liberated from the bondages of exploitation, marginalization and patriarchy in all areas of endeavour. It is incumbent upon the country at large therefore to commit itself to the clarion call for Unity in Action for Women`s Socio-Economic Freedom in this the second phase of the transition towards a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society.
Issued by
Jackson Mthembu
National Spokesperson
African National Congress
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