Sunday, August 10, 2008

National Womens' Day

This day commemorates 9 August 1956 when women participating in a national march petitioned against pass laws (legislation that required African persons to carry a document on them to ‘prove’ that they were allowed to enter a ‘white area’).

How did you celebrate the 9th of August ???? Was it a "political" holiday where you are. Not for me - I am fairly certain, that with all eyes on the Olympic Games, the day went unremarked in nations outside of South Africa.

In South Africa, Jacob Zuma, ANC President, said the day should remain a political holiday.

From news24:
"The ANC president said National Women's Day should be protected against being "diluted" to suit commercial interests.

"National Women's Day is the celebration of the role and contribution of women to public life, in the struggle for freedom, in the building of a new non-racial and democratic South Africa and in building our future."

Speaking at a half filled Zuka Baloi Stadium in Welkom, Zuma said the day should be protected from being "de-politicised" of which signs were already evident.

"These (efforts) appears to be designed to turn the day into something frivolous, similar to either Valentine's Day or Mother's Day."

Zuma said National Women's Day, a public holiday, should remain as a dedication to the heroism of women in the past and the "critical importance of women's struggle" in the South Africa in future. "

Events in some places were called off due to weather.

About National Women's Day (from Wiki)

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