Is it still relevant?

Women’s Day

Women’s Day is having a long history. It is not just something new that came around after UN recognised Women’s day in 1977.

It is something very different from Mother’s day. Mother’s Day has many good intentions. There we are looking at saying ‘thank you’ to the mothers across the globe that brought up the nations.

Mother’s Day has no sharp edge, but Women’s Day has.

What time frame are we talking about? And what were the issues?

We look at the 1900s. Sure enough, women in general (across the globe really) did not have the right to vote, could not own property or sign business deals, could not enrol at university, could not …. A plethora of things.

So what changed? The industrial revolution which required a lot more industrial workers. Women got out of the house and into the factories.

As more women got to be bread-winners and acting in their own right (not just a companion to a husband), the demand for recognition was sharpened.

1909 saw the first ‘Women’s Day’ (USA) and it was soon followed with the International Women’s day - from 1910 and onwards. First World War saw the entire established order of ‘society’ being turned upside down. Social changes were demanded and equality was on the agenda. The first major obstacle (and victory) was the right to vote. Society again changed after Second World war. Women were suddenly to be found as soldiers or factory workers or business owners and in essence; as individuals in their own right. And the rights to go with it were indeed demanded now.

The laws of the countries changed (by and large). Equality as we see it is enshrined in the constitutions around the world.

But we can ask ourselves: is it enough? The theme for Women’s Day according to UN is “Generation Equality”. It does point out that equality is not achieved in all countries. There are still pockets of oppression. South Africa’s constitution guarantees an equal society. However, one thing is the law another is culture and tradition. And that is where we as South Africa should now look.

Do we still see a male-dominated environment? Do we still see malejobs and female-jobs? Do we see differences in salaries based on gender? Do we see gender-violence?

This is where attitudes in society must change to reflect the intentions of law. … and that is why Women’s Day is still relevant!