Who run the world? Girls! Who run the world? Girls! Beyonce said it best. Yes, women rule the world, and we get to celebrate this feat on 9 August each year. In South Africa, we commemorate the economic, social, political, and cultural achievements of women in our country, and we also action the acceleration of gender parity.
Women’s month is a tribute not only to the pioneers of the gender equality movement but also to the thousands of women who marched in 1956 against a system meant to control women and reduce us to submissive beings.
The theme for 2021 is Generation Equality: Realising Women’s Rights for an Equal Future. The concept of Generation Equality is an international campaign and associates South Africa with global efforts to achieve gender equality by 2030. What can you do to accelerate gender equality? Join the Generation Equality Campaign. The Generation Equality Campaign marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – the most visionary agenda for women’s rights and empowerment everywhere. #ActforEqual is the new campaign that drives enthusiasm and engagement towards the upcoming Generation Equality Forum. Take action, and show your support for gender equality.
Our women are patient, resilient, strong, and both women and girls have equal say in what happens in the societies they live in, what happens to their bodies, and the paths they choose in life. Imagine fairness in business boardrooms, warehouses, and classrooms, and equal pay and a shared workload at home. How about an end to sexual harassment? We live in exciting times because our women are finally on the map!
To all the women who face hardship with bravery, disarms your problems with a smile, and conceal worries in your heart – whatever wish you hold in your heart, go for it, brave woman! We wish you a fantastic Women’s Day on 9 August!!!
If you’re still singing ‘’Who run the world’’ in your head, our work here is done!
