STATEMENT OF THE CONGRESS OF THE PEOPLE ON INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY
“THE MOST URGENT TASK FOR SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN TODAY IS TO FORM A NATIONAL WOMENS ORGANISATION REPRESENTING ALL SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN”
The Congress of the People marks International Women’s Day 2015 by taking this opportunity to recognise the women all over the world who have contributed to bringing about the rights that many women and girls enjoy today in our country and elsewhere.
COPE applauds and recognises these achievements even as it is well aware that for millions of women the world over many things that are taken for granted in our country today are still a pipe dream.
The principle of equal pay for equal work, the inferior and unequal representation of women in decision-making structures be it in the public, private or non-profit sector, the physical, emotional and sexual violence against women in all parts of the world, especially in areas of conflict , are just a few of the challenges that still exist.
In 1910, at second International Conference of Working Women that was held in Copenhagen, Clara Zetkin, the then leader of the ‘Women’s Office’ for the Social Democratic Party in Germany, proposed that every year in every country there should be a day to celebrate Women’s Day to ensure that the challenges faced by women should be highlighted and not forgotten.
The struggle for women’s emancipation in our own country benefitted immensely from the efforts of those early global stalwarts of the struggle for women’s equality as well as from that of those who came after them both in South Africa and other parts of the world.
Today, as we observe this day it is important to reflect on, and celebrate our progress. More importantly, however, we are required to look at challenges that we still encounter and those that lie ahead. We are also duty-bound to ask ourselves whether we are still continuing on the path that the stalwarts charted for us in this area.
In this regard it is essential to join hands with other women of the world to address the concerning perception among younger generations that the struggle for women’s equality has been won.
The increased recognition and acceptance of the role and place of women in society, and the progressive policies adopted by our government and some political parties in South Africa and other African countries should and must be celebrated. The leading role that the ANC and the ANC-led government have played in this regard merits special mention.
COPE recognises and appreciates that many South African men have been and continue to be important contributors to the positive steps which have made our country to be recognised globally as amongst the pioneers of change in this area.
It is for this reason that COPE notes with concern that some of the victories thus far attained are being steadily eroded with time.
The unity of purpose of South African women on the question of gender equality that has characterised our history is being negatively affected by the inability of women in political parties to discuss and address their challenges outside the party political limitations.
Within parties, factional politics have also affected the ability of women to address gender equality challenges that a particular party may face.
The representation of young women in youth political structures across the board is often lower than the representation of women in the main political party.
The Congress of the People is of the view that given the challenges still faced by women in our country, and new challenges arising daily, the most urgent task for the women of our country today is to organise themselves into a national organisation representing South African women from different walks of life.
A ROBUST ORGANISATION OF SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN THAT WILL CREATE A PLATFORM FOR ENGAGEMENT AND ACTION FOR GENDER EQUALITY IN OUR COUNTRY.
ISSUED BY CONGRESS OF THE PEOPLE
LYNDALL FANISA SHOPE-MAFOLE
GENERAL SECRETARY
082 3858 722
Source : Congress of the People