Long live the struggling revolutionary workers of CEPPWAWU! Victory to the fighteous petroleum workers! Viva COSATU Unions, Viva! _____
CEPPWAWU.gif 9 August 2016 I struggle finding words to say "HAPPY WOMEN'S MONTH" Nomvula Mary Nxumalo, Former National Gender Coordinator, CEPPWAWU On the 9th of August 1956, more than 20 000 South African women of all races staged a march to the Union Building in Pretoria to protest against the proposed amendments to the Urban Areas Act of 1950, commonly referred to as the "pass laws" (legislation that required African persons to carry a document on them to 'prove' that they were allowed to enter a 'whites only area') The march was led by among others, Mama Lillian Ngoyi, Mama Helen Joseph, Mama Rahima Moosa and Mama Sophie de Bruyn and many other unsung Heroines. Imagine over 20 000 women of all races and ages from every corner of South Africa marching together towards the Union Buildings in Pretoria. An inspiring display of political strength, female solidarity and inner fortitude, the march of August 9 1956 is both a reminder of the great women who helped mold South Africa as well as the tremendous unity displayed! We learn that the women were from different background, "poor and rich" if you like and I'm convinced of that as my mother was among them. They were helping to carry children of those who had them. They delivered the memorandum and the march was a resounding success. We recognize the bravery of these women who risked arrest, detention and banning by declaring 9 August National Women's Day. Now that all of you have a background of how this day came to exist THEN, I want to move to NOW. I'd like us to really think of the 9th August 1956, and 9th August 2016 and see how we have progressed as women in 60 years. I will make an example of only one basic need we all should live on, which is FOOD. The right to food is enshrined in our SA's constitution, yet millions of people do not enjoy this right and other interdependent rights. The worst impact of Apartheid as a capitalist and patriarchal order was felt by Black Women and girls in homelands, townships and informal settlements. This fact remains largely unchanged 22 years into our democracy, it is not by accident. As much as we have achieved some of the women struggles, such as securing space in high positions, it serves no purpose if so many women and children still go to bed on empty stomachs as they struggle to get food. I am not talking of decent food, I'm talking of what can go into our stomach and make it a bit full regardless of how safe and healthy is that food. Now, let us compare the women of 1956 with the women of today and see what is the difference: We live in times of "the survival of the strongest" when we count the gains, it is quite a few elite women who managed to score in top positions, got tenders and funding who then forgot about the reason of securing those positions in the first place. It pains me to think that there are millions of women who have no choice but to downgrade their food consumption. The shops have departments for food, it is bottom up situation. Chicken feet, bones (the lowest) to rump, fillet and oxtail (the highest) as an unemployed, poor with a family to feed woman, you will go straight to the cheapest in the supermarket. Not by choice but by your circumstances if you are unemployed and poor. Those who are fortunate enough to be employed, you find that most of them become victims of sexual harassment in the workplace, women are much more likely to be victims of sexual harassment precisely because they more often than men lack power, are in more vulnerable and insecure positions, lack self confidence, or have been socialised to suffer in silence. Another reason is to exploit the presence of women and make sexual favours and submission to sexual behaviours conditions of employment, that is to keep them from being fired, demoted, or otherwise adversely affected at work. Both are forms of sexual harassment. This happen in particular to young women who are at the same time competing in a very small space. Those employed are also abused by the employers. When it is time for wage negotiations, employers offer what is equal to what they buy food for their dogs. As we speak, a loaf of bread cost R13 to R14 and others cannot afford a loaf of bread! Those who are not working cannot even dream of having that loaf of bread.This is a heartbreaking reality faced by Women, I truly cannot bring myself to say Happy women's day. I deliberately left out all the other women issues in Collective Bargaining because poverty force them to abandon the very important ones such as paid Maternity leave, sick leave and safe transport subsidy amongst others. In order to measure to 1956 women, we need to realize that life is about connecting with all of humanity. Connection only happens through the meeting of hearts, and sooner those who lead us realize this truth the better. South Africa needs to address structural causes and transform gender- blind policies that deepen inequality, erodes the power of human beings and leads to vulnerability to rights violations, including Gender based violence. This also needs a political will commitment, a human right campaign that strengthens solidarity is necessary. The crises of Gender based violence, poverty and inequality exemplified by the food, unemployment and precarious employment crises are interconnected. We therefore hope that the women of 2016 compare to 1956, will go back to basics, and take from where we lost focus. This will make us to keep the legacy of the 1956 women, not forgetting that it was WOMEN of all races that came together and marched to the Union building. It is only when we will stop selfishness, do introspection and see if those in top positions are still serving the purpose of the poor. Which is to make means in closing the class gap, include disadvantaged women on the economy vehicle, address the food crises and ensure they access health facilities. Once all of the above issues are addressed, will I proudly say "HAPPY WOMEN'S MONTH"! AMANDLA!!!!!!! . Compiled and written by Nomvula Mary Nxumalo (Former National Gender Coordinator, CEPPWAWU) __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 13947 (20160811) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com -- -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] . --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "YCLSA Discussion Forum" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. 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