South Africa commemorates Women’s Day on Wednesday.
The day – August 9 – marks the anniversary of the massive women’s march 61 years ago in 1956, where women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the carrying of pass books.
More than 20 000 women marched to protest against legislation aimed at tightening the apartheid government’s control over the movement of black women in urban areas.
According to
, neither Prime Minister JG Strijdom or any of his senior staff was there to see the women.
At activist Lilian Ngoyi’s suggestion, the crowd stood in absolute silence for a full half hour.
There were mixed feelings about the day and the challenges faced by South African women now.
Here's what social media users are saying about this year's celebrations:
Happy
"You strike a woman, you strike a rock" ✊🇿🇦💐 pic.twitter.com/HP04T9OUdI
— Karabo Mokgoko 🦄 (@Karabo_Mokgoko)
"Each time a woman stands up for herself without knowing it, without claiming it, she stands up for all women." #MayaAngelou #WomensDay✊ pic.twitter.com/z8n6ES6lhB
— C Constantinides (@ChangeAgentSA) August 9, 2017
This #WomensDay remember that rape is an under prosecuted crime, and even those cases that make it to court, a limited number are ever "won"
— ms pe (@pumezamdangayi) August 9, 2017
Dear men, if you love & appreciate us as much as you say you do, start having REAL conversations amongst yourselves about abuse. #WomensDay
— Hulisani Ravele (@HulisaniRavele) August 9, 2017
Girl children to have equal access; Police & the justice system reformed to effectively deal with abuse & femicide; Equal pay. #WomensDay
— Ntlentle (@_ntlentle) August 9, 2017
The Mercury