Cartoon of the day: 11 August 2026
50 years later, and while pass laws are gone, the struggles women face still threaten to destroy them.
On August 11, 2026, South Africa marked National Women's Day, a commemoration of the historic 1956 march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria. This event saw 20,000 women protest against apartheid pass laws, a stark contrast to the ongoing struggles women face today. Despite the abolition of pass laws, gender-based violence and femicide still pose a significant threat to women's safety and well-being.
In his address, President Ramaphosa acknowledged the persisting fears women face - both in the streets and homes - and classified gender-based violence as a national disaster. He emphasized the crucial role men must play in preventing violence and breaking the silence surrounding it. Ramaphosa condemned any justification for abuse, asserting that women should not be blamed for their suffering, regardless of their behavior, appearance, or social status.
He firmly stated that violence against women and children is a crime, and silence no longer has a place in the fight against it.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
