NEHAWU Statement On National Women's Day
Tuesday August 08, 2023
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] joins millions of South Africans in celebrating National Women's Day which is celebrated annually on the 9th August.
In celebrating this historic day, NEHAWU salutes the generation of 1956 for their unwavering commitment to the liberation of the country. The national union takes this opportunity to pay reverence to the heroines of 1956 who marched to the Union Buildings to petition against the pass laws of the apartheid regime.
We will forever be indebted to these gallant heroines of our national struggle for their unparalleled contribution in the broader liberation of our people and the role they played in ushering a democratic South Africa.
The occasion of Women's Day presents an opportune moment for the nation to pause and thoroughly reflect as to how far we have gone in advancing the struggle for women emancipation from all forms of bondage.
Indeed, we need to ask ourselves critical questions about our collective efforts, role and contributions in the struggle for women emancipation, gender equality and defeating patriarchy. Especially when women are in a constant struggle against power-relations that continue to be perpetuated by patriarchy, when women continue to be confronted by the scourge of gender based violence, femicide, rape, and violence.
It is women who continue to bear the brunt of discrimination and marginalisation in the workplace: low paid jobs, super-exploited, wage discrimination, inadequate maternity benefits and sexual harassment amongst others.
We need to recommit ourselves to the struggle for women emancipation and envisage a future where women participate equally in the economy and society without barriers, and where women are emancipated from all forms of oppression in the household, the workplace and in broader society.
Equally, we must urgently address the systematic inequalities between men and women in society that are reproduced by power relations and also prioritises the specific empowerment of women as a way of achieving gender equality.
Lastly, the national union reiterates its commitment to be in forefront in the struggle for women emancipation and the fight against patriarchy.
Forward to Women Emancipation!!!
Forward to Gender Struggle!!!
Wathint`Abafazi Wathint`Imbokodo
Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat
Zola Saphetha (General Secretary) at 082 558 5968;
December Mavuso (Deputy General Secretary) at 082 558 5969;
Lwazi Nkolonzi (NEHAWU National Spokesperson) at 081 558 2335 or email: lwazin@nehawu.org.za
https://www.nehawu.org.za