What to look for this month

What to look for this Month

Commonwealth Day 8th March

Every year, Commonwealth countries celebrate the rich diversity, steadfast unity and positive values that represent the Commonwealth. From school assemblies to social events and civic gatherings, the day is met with an overall sense of upliftment. Each year, all events and campaigns are guided by a theme.

This year, the theme set out by the Commonwealth Organisation, is ‘2021: Delivering a Common Future’, with a key focus on innovation, connection, and transformation geared towards achieving some of the 54 member countries in the Commonwealth family’s main goals. These goals include protecting natural resources and enhancing trade. This theme is significant as Commonwealth countries are linked by deep-rooted communities of goodwill and friendship.

World Glaucoma Week: 14-20 March

World Glaucoma Week is a joint initiative between the World Glaucoma Association and the World Glaucoma Patient Association, and has had a highly successful run for the past decade. Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness globally, and it’s been estimated that 4.5 million individuals, globally, were blinded due to glaucoma1.

Currently, there is no cure for glaucoma as yet, and vision loss is irreversible. On this day, health professionals and the Government will campaign for better awareness surrounding early detection, to limit visual impairment. So, it is advised to go for an eye-test, get educated on prevention and treatment, and practice better optical health.

World Consumer Rights Day : 15 March

On this day, consumer rights are emphasised as a way to address risky, unfair and unethical practices, and enforce consumer rights. Often, consumers are exploited or disadvantaged when dealing with organisations. On World Consumer Rights Day, Government and businesses give consumers a platform to raise their voices, in an effort to advocate for better, honest and transparent practices.

This year, Government organisations and business entities will coordinate a variety of social media activities for all to take part in for the day. Individuals are welcomed to join the conversation surrounding trusted smart products by using the #BetterDigitalWorld hashtag.

March 2021 is loaded with various commemorative days, prompting reflection and awareness surrounding important milestones and pressing issues.

Human Rights Month - Human Rights Day 2021

Human Rights Month is commemorated in South Africa, as a day of reflection on the many sacrifices that occurred throughout the struggle towards obtaining democracy in our country. This is why we celebrate Human Rights Day each year, on 21 March.

This year our country commemorates Human Rights Month with the theme:‘ The year of unity, socio-economic renewal and nation-building.’ We commemorate Human Rights Day to reinforce our commitment to the Bill of Rights as enshrined in our Constitution -rights including, equality, human dignity, freedom of movement and residence, life, language and culture. The Government calls on all South Africans to use Human Rights Month to ‘foster greater social cohesion, nation-building and a shared national identity.’

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

The UN General Assembly resolution2142 (XXI), implemented on 26 October1966, stated that 21 March would be the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, annually. On March21, 1960, a large group of South Africans gathered in the township of Sharpeville to protest against the oppressive apartheid government, specifically against Pass Laws.

This day symbolises the struggle to abolish the policy of apartheid in South Africa, and eliminate all forms of racial discrimination- a key focus of UNESCO’s efforts to foster peace in all men and women, through education for tolerance, and the refusal of racist stereotypes. Many social media campaigns and community projects will ensue in light of the day’s underpinning message. on prevention and treatment, and practice better optical health.

World Water Day

Each year, World Water Day celebrations aim to highlight the importance of water. Zooming in on the lack of clean water around the world, and the detrimental effects of global warming, water pollution and damaged water tables, there is a lot that requires new solutions. The initiative is backed by the UN, UNESCO, the World Water Council and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). On this day, longer-term action protocols are addressed, with the hope that the global society obtains access to safe water by 2030. Special attention is also given to environmental consciousness and sustainability.

The National Water Week campaign will be held in South Africa, from 15 to 22 March. The Department of Water and Sanitation celebrates Water Week by urging everyone to use water sparingly to ensure Water For All.