The women’s march to the Union Buildings on August 9 1956 was critical in achieving democracy and liberating women in South Africa, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) said on Tuesday.
”Cosatu pays tribute to those 20 000 women who protested at the extension of pass laws to women, and to the millions of women who have followed in their footsteps in the struggle for liberation,” said Cosatu spokesperson Patrick Craven in a statement.
Through the courage and determination of heroines such as Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph and Dora Tamana, the democratically elected government created new laws to promote gender equity.
”Hundreds of women now hold high office in government, Parliament and civil society, shattering the old myth that only men have the skills and ability needed to be leaders and hold most senior jobs …
”This has begun the massive task of freeing women … and given many more of them the chance to seek a job or start a small business.”
The rise of women into top positions is, however, not reflected in other sectors of the economy.
In 2002, women held only 14% of top management positions, a tiny improvement of 1,3 % in 2000. Black women held no more than t2% of these positions. In senior management, women held 21%, and black women only 5% of posts, said Craven, quoting from the last annual report of the Commission for Employment Equity.
Despite the advances of the last twelve years, much still needs to be done. Sectors where women workers predominate, such as government services, retail, clothing, food processing and domestic labour, still have relatively low pay and bad conditions of employment.
Millions of poor black women are battling against unemployment, poverty, discrimination and abuse. No less than 75% of black women under 30 were jobless, said Craven.
”Our economic liberation must therefore involve the upliftment of the poor, the majority of whom are African and women,” he said. — Sapa