South Africans Are Using Women's Month 2017 To Tackle Gender-Based Violence

Here's how South Africans are commemorating Women's Month.

Damola Durosomo
August 03, 2017

August is Women's Month in South Africa, a time to commemorate the 20,000 women who marched to the country's government center on August 9, 1956 in order to protest Pass Laws—the internal identification system used to segment the population and prevent black people, women, and other minorities from traveling freely through the country.

This year’s theme is, “The Year of OR Tambo: Women United in Moving South Africa Forward," reports All Africa.

The official launch of Women's Month took place on Tuesday in Tshwane, where the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Susan Shabangu, urged South African men to get involved in the movement to end sexual violence—a systemic issue that has led to the creation of nationwide protests and movements such as #NotInMyName, and the more contentious #MenAreTrash movement.

Many young men and women are using their platforms to call on men to do their part as well.

"It's not enough as South African men to say we are sorry to the women of South Africa, but we need to take corrective action towards making these programs a success, said Siyabulela Jentile, the chairperson for Not In My Name South Africa.

"We call on all men to come forward and join forces with us so that we can take collective responsibility and collective action to say 'not in my name.'"

Several South Africans are sharing their thoughts about this year's commemoration on social media.

Sign Up To Our Newsletter

© Copyright OkayAfrica 2023