PRETORIA, South Africa, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- South Africa on Sunday commemorated National Women's Day at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the country's administrative capital, marking the 70th anniversary of the historic 1956 Women's March, when around 20,000 women marched to the seat of government to protest the apartheid regime's pass laws.
Addressing the national commemoration, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa paid tribute to the women who took part in the 1956 protest and highlighted their role in the country's long struggle against apartheid and for gender equality.
"The women of 1956 were protesting against passes, but their message reached far beyond the pass laws. They challenged the idea that women should be confined to the home, silent in public affairs, and subordinate to men," Ramaphosa said.
On Aug. 9, 1956, about 20,000 women from across South Africa gathered at the Union Buildings to protest the apartheid government's extension of pass laws to Black women. The march was led by Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, and Sophia Williams-de Bruyn.
"That march helped to change the course, the character, and the leadership of the struggle for freedom and justice in our country," said the president, adding that it demonstrated that women were not merely supporters of the struggle, but its leaders, organizers, and authors.
Ramaphosa said significant progress had been made since the end of apartheid in 1994, adding that women now have the right to vote, hold public office, own property and land, inherit property, and occupy senior positions across the country's public institutions.
He also acknowledged that substantial challenges remain, with many women still facing economic exclusion and other barriers to advancement.
Under this year's theme, "Empowered Women, Empower Nations," the celebration emphasizes improving women's access to quality healthcare, vital for sustainable development, social justice, and economic growth.
National Women's Day has been observed in South Africa annually on Aug. 9 since 1994 and forms part of the country's Women's Month commemorations. ■