1956 9 August South Africa

9 August, 1956

So this is the day that love was the underlining consciousness where all was put to shame when 20 000 women of all race color creed of all shapes and sizes said it is enough,this inspires a thought when somehow humanity is threatened all petty issues fall aside and we do what we have to..women of the world do we still have this spirit,is sleeping could it be awakened yet again? 

In one of the largest demonstrations staged in this country's history, 20 000 women of all races marched to Pretoria's Union Buildings on 9 August 1956, to present a petition against the carrying of passes by women to the prime minister, J G Strijdom.

This was the famous Women's march celebrated as Women's Day on 9 August each year. The march against the pass laws was organised by the Federation of South African Women (FSAW or FEDSAW). The Federation famously challenged the idea that 'a woman's place is in the kitchen', declaring it instead to be 'everywhere'. Although Prime Minister J.G. Strijdom was not at the Union Buildings to accept the petition, the women of South Africa sent a public message that they would not be intimidated and silenced by unjust laws. After the petition was handed over to the secretary of the prime minister, the women sang a freedom song: Wathint` abafazi, Strijdom!

Since then, the phrase 'wathint' abafazi, wathint' imbokodo' (You Strike a Woman, You Strike a Rock) has come to represent the courage and strength of South African women. As a group that has been marginalized, they rose to question the barrier and fought for their emancipation and that of their families. The first National Women's Day was celebrated in 1995 and since then annual celebrations take place throughout the country.