For Immediate Release
10th August 2022
SATAWU CELEBRATES WOMEN’S MONTH
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union SATAWU commemorates and celebrates the 66th anniversary of Women’s month. Exactly 66 years ago in 1956, more than 20 000 South African brave and fearless Women marched to the Union Buildings demanding the end of pass laws in the country and fighting against the apartheid government.
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union today celebrate and salute our heroes and the women who led the march including Mme Lilian Ngoyi, Mme Albertina Sisulu, Mme Bertha Gxowa and many others. These women have played a huge role in the struggle of our country, their fight was clear, they fought for equality, women empowerment, justice, and non-racial South Africa.
After 66 years of a successful and peaceful march, It is very sad that women of this country are still living in fear in our society. Women are still subjected to patriarchy. After so many years women of this country are still facing poverty and unemployment. Two weeks ago, South African 8 women were raped in Krugersdorp in Gauteng by allegedly by illegal foreigners from Lesotho. A week ago, a body of a woman was found in Tembisa, it is believed that she was raped and later killed. It is for that reason that SATAWU says no bail to rapists and murderer where there is sufficient evidence that indeed they have committed these crimes, they don’t belong to our society. More than anything it is a trauma to the victim to see the perpetrators walking free
The Union, believes and have trust in its women workers and members. We have women that are at the forefront leading in all our sectors and structures including our women serving at the National Level. SATAWU is committed to empowering women, especially young black women, and we will continue making sure that women take lead and are treated with respect and dignity in all our sectors.
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union joins millions of South Africans in calling on the Government to address and find a solution to Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana pay inequality. These young women deserve to be paid the same salary as men. We also wish to congratulate our Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) champions. They have indeed made us proud of a country.
We Also wish to congratulate Justice Madisa Maya on her recent appointment by the President of the Republic of South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa as Deputy Chief Justice of South Africa. The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) also acknowledge the work and the progress done by the Government in empowering women. We have seen for the past years women leading crucial departments in the country, we have Women who are Premiers, Speakers, Women Who are MEC’s, Mayors, Ministers, DGs, and other crucial positions however there’s still more to be done. We are also calling on Private companies to empower young black women of this country.
The government last year announced that R21 billion was allocated to support the six pillars of the National Strategic Plan to ensure women’s economic and financial inclusion. To find against Gender-Based Violence, however, we have not seen much progress since the launch. We are calling on the Government to implement the National Strategic Plan pillars
The South African Transport and Allies Workers Union is calling on all South African Women, Young in particular to follow in the footsteps of the 1956 women to reclaim the economy, to fight against GBV, to fight against Poverty and hunger, to fight for equality and sexism in our homes and in workplaces. We wish all our women in the country a happy Women’s Day. Nizimboko.
Issued By SATAWU