GEORGE NEWS - The Thembalethu Police Forum (CPF) and various stakeholders joined millions of other South Africans to celebrate national Women's Day on Wednesday 9 August. The CPF's celebration at the Thembalethu Community Hall in Zone 9 was attended by about 100 men and women from Thembalethu. The events focused on violence against women, with speakers condemning the abuse of women in the society.

National Women's Day commemorates the day in 1956 when thousands of women marched to the Union Buildings against the pass laws that were in effect. The legislation at the time required not only African men, but also women, to carry passes which gave them permission to be in an urban area to find work.

The march was led by prominent women such as Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, Motlalepula Chabaku, Bertha Gxowa and Albertina Sisulu.

At Wednesday's celebration in Thembalethu, women were entertained by various musical and dance groups and were also instructed in self-defence methods and skills.

Reflecting on the historical day, Xolani Henge, chairman of the Thembaletu CPF, said the 1956 march contributed immensely to the liberation of the country and the women's courage motivated many young women to join the liberation movement and fight against apartheid.

A karate club from Thembalethu gives a demonstration.

"We owe it to those women that today we are living in a democratic country. However, although things have changed politically, socially women are faced with many challenges such as violence and abuse by men, which is something we need to stand together and fight," said Henge.

Selina Vena, one of the women who attended the event, said women continue to be marginalised as men are prioritised in the society. "It is painful what we have to go through every day as women, particularly those who are coming from disadvantaged communities, as we and our children are subject to abuse every day by our partners. We have no voice at all as men took over all the prominent roles in the society and women always come second," she said.

Thembalethu Primary School Choir performs at the Women's Day celebration

All the speakers at the event agreed that much still needs to be done to change the way women are treated in society and that men also need to speak out against women abuse.

ARTICLE & PHOTOS: ZOLANI SINXO, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST

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