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“Behind every strong woman is herself.”
Anonymous
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National Women’s Day is celebrated on the 9th of August every year. This special day calls all South Africans to celebrate the strength the 20 000 women of colour who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest amendments to the apartheid laws.
In our beautiful land of South Africa, we consider the entire month of August as “Women’s Month”. It is a month where we can remember, honour and celebrate the beauty and strength of South African women in our society. It is a month where, as a country, we can take time to reflect back on our history and see how far the women of our country have come. It is a month where, as a country, we can remember those women of power who fought for the rights we have today.
On Women’s Day, we are reminded of those who previously fought through the struggle, and we stand with those who still fight for their rights today.
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What is Women’s Day all about?
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“A woman is like a tea bag –
you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.
“
Eleanor Roosevelt
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On Thursday, the 9th of August 1956, 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to petition against the enforcement of black women needing to carry passes under the Apartheid pass laws.
The Pass Laws Act always required people of colour to carry an identification document or ‘pass’ on them. This controlled and restricted their freedom of movement under the Apartheid regime and, if unable to present a pass on request, they were refused access to what was known as whites-only areas.
The march was organised by the anti-apartheid group, the Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW), whose aim was to strengthen the voices and influence of all women in the movement towards a democratic society.
This peaceful march was scheduled for a Thursday, a day on which traditionally the African domestic workers had leave from their jobs. This ensured that there would be enough multicultural women to take part. On that day, 20 000 women march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the centre of the South African government, and handed over a petition containing more than 100 000 signatures opposing the introduction of passes for African women.
On this day, thousands of women stood silently outside Prime Minister J.G. Strijdom’s door for a half an hour before singing the protest song, “Wathint’ Abafazi Wathint’imbokodo!” which translates to Now you have touched a woman, you have struck a rock.
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Women’s Day and our worldtoday
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“Here’s to strong women.
May we know them.
May we be them.
May we raise them.”
Anonymous
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Women’s Month is particularly an important day in South Africa due to the fact that our country has the highest rate of femicide and rape in the whole world. Read that again. Let it sink in deeply. In 1956, thousnads of women fought for their rights as South African citizens, and today, there are still thousands of women fighting for their rights to be enforced. It may not be the same rights, but there is still a struggle being fought. Women’s rights are written in black and white, but their rights are still being violated by many people.
Women are seen as symbols of fragility. Women are expected to depend on men for anything and everything. Women are seen as vulnerable human beings, and sometimes, they are not even seen as human beings at all. Women are viewed as easy targets. These are the reasons why so many of our sisters are hurt, abused, beaten, blamed and killed. This year, 2020, we have seen our world come to a halt due to COVID 19, but the crime against women in our country only increased. Public locations like post offices, local parks, shopping malls and even beaches have become extremely dangerous for our women nationwide.
Whether it’s a cat call or an inappropriate touch, women are abused, especially sexually, by males and by other females, everywhere they go – and they are blamed for it as well! Women haven’t been taken seriously at all, and when they gain the strength to report their abuser, they get asked the following questions:
- Were you revealing too much?
- Were you intoxicated?
- Was the person you’re reporting intoxicated?
- Did you provoke the person you’re reporting?
- Why were you out so late at night?
- DID YOU SAY NO?
The battle isn’t over. No, women are not protesting against passes anymore. Women are protesting for their right to safety and freedom to live with joyful confidence wherever they go.
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Ways to honour the women in your life this Women’s Day
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“Every women’s success should be an inspiration to another.
We are strongest when we cheer each other on.”
Serena Williams
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Women’s Day is a celebration! Yes, we have a long way to go, but we deserve to be celebrated for how far we have come! Since Women’s Day and Women’s Month has to be celebrated during lockdown, we must adhere to the lockdown rules for our safety and the safety of others. Here are some ways you can enjoy this special day with the women in your life:
- Meet up with a few of the ladies in your life (less than 50 ladies – lockdown rules) for a breakfast, lunch, dinner, or coffee date and just enjoy each other’s company.
- Celebrate this day by giving a gift to your mom or the person who played the motherly role in your life. Remember, our first home was a woman!
- Sign petitions that are fighting for women’s rights. Spend some time educating yourself on the rights of women and how just 1 person can make a difference.
- Spend some time in self-care. Lades, it is crucial to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. How can you fuel up another before fueling up yourself?
- This one is for the boys. Take some time to appreciate all the women in your life. Whether it is with flowers or just a kind word, it all matters.
It is time we show all the women we know the love they deserve, not just today, but every single day.
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Words of love for women
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“She is water.
Powerful enough to drown you,
soft enough to cleanse you,
deep enough to save you.”
Anonymous
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Here are some beautiful words of encouragement for women all around the world, from our hearts, to yours:
“You are fearfully and wonderfully made.”
“You are clothed with strength and dignity. You laugh without fear of the future.”
“You can stand before anyone.”
You have been created for this exact time. You have a purpose in this world.”
“You are strong and courageous. You have no reason to fear.”
“You can be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.”
“You are blessed. You are inspiring. You are worthy. You are unique. You are loved. You are ENOUGH.”
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Women’s Month at Kikki and Franki
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“I want every girl to know that her voice can change the world.”
Malala Fund
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Here at Kikki and Franki, we hold Women’s Month close to our hearts. Kikki and Frank is a proudly South African, woman-run, small manufacturing business empowering previously unemployed ladies. The ladies that work here are all different, but we are sisters. We support each other, educate each other, help each other, encourage each other and most of all, we love each other.
Our team works strongly together to produce beautiful products that are manufactured in house to ensure perfect quality. We aim for nothing less! Whether it is designing, manufacturing, packaging, or delivering, we give our all in everything we do. We work hard to ensure that every customer has a smile on their face when working with us!
In our little but growing company, women’s day is every day! We do not need a reason to appreciate one another, and we encourage all of you to the same! Appreciate all the women in your life just because you can, and when you ask yourself why you should, remember this:
Your first home was a woman.
The Kikki and Franki girls wish you all an incredible women’s month!
Xxx
The Kikki and Franki Girls
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