NATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY EVENT IN BC

Zuma attends Women’s Day

By Tabisa Mntengwana
6 August 2010

THE national Women’s Day commemorations will be held in Buffalo City this year, at Buffalo City Stadium on Monday, 9 August.

The main address is expected to be delivered by President Jacob Zuma. Buffalo City Executive Mayor Zukisa Faku will also be at the event, held on National Women’s Day, an annual public holiday.

Various political leaders, businessmen and women and the community of Buffalo City are expected to participate this year.

The day recalls the march on 9 August 1956 by women of all races and from walks of life to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against oppressive apartheid laws, most particularly the pass law.

This year is the 54th anniversary of the march, which marked a turning point in the role of women in the struggle for freedom and in society at large.

Zuma’s government has a ministry dedicated to serving the needs of women, children and persons with disabilities, and prompting their advancement in all sectors. The day has been extended to activities throughout the month. Women’s Month was launched officially at the Union Buildings earlier in August.

“United in action to make 2010 to 2020 a decade for women of women”, the theme for Women’s Month this year, is guided by the government’s Medium Term Strategic Framework, the Government Programme of Action and previous themes.

According to a report from the Department of Arts and Culture, the government is constantly working at ways to improve the plight of all people in general but women in particular. The department has led commemorations of Women’s Month and Women’s Day since 2006.

“The fight against the abuse of women and children is not only the responsibility of women alone, but all South Africans need to join the campaign and should commit themselves to the protection of women and the promotion of their rights,” reads the report. "