Ramaphosa: Gender Inclusion And Women’s Empowerment At The Centre Of Government’s Policies

CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

Yesterday, the country celebrated Women’s Day. This occasion marks the anniversary of the day in 1956 when 20,000 women marched to the Union Buildings – a great sea of womankind speaking many languages, from different places and of all races. They were united in their demand for an end to the dreaded pass laws and for their right to live in freedom.
 
The status and position of women in South Africa today is vastly different to that faced by our mothers and grandmothers in 1956. We have come a long way in realising a South Africa that is non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, prosperous and free.
 
There has been real progress in improving the lives of South African women in the economy, in the political sphere and in public life.