South Africans celebrate women this month, with Friday (9 August) marking National Women’s Day, which commemorates the 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on that date in 1956 in protest against the proposed extension of pass laws to include women. Owing to its gender-specific clarion call it has become a rallying point for the situation of women in South Africa.
While many advancements have been effected for women to be treated equally as their male counterparts in society we are still a long way off from truly being inclusive and equal.
Sadly, women remain the most vulnerable, targeted by those who are meant to protect and love them for violent acts. Even in the workplace, places of worship and other community organisations, women are still being victimised, marginalised and ostracised on account of their gender.
How do we change this? How do we finally turn the tide? It starts at home. It starts with the males in their lives.
We need to teach our sons the value of women and show, with our actions, that they are worthy of respect and love, that they are equal to them in all ways. We need to speak out when we see offences committed against women.
In turn, we will also show our daughters how they should be treated, loved and respected.
A little adjustment goes a long way to effect permanent societal change.
