Centuries of Contributions by Women in South Africa

Today is Women's Day in South Africa, the day which commemorates the 1956 march by South African women from the townships to the Union Building in Pretoria in order to protest the old pass laws. Pass laws were the device the government had used to control the movement of Africans under apartheid. Africans were often compelled to violate the pass laws in order to find work to support their families, so harassment, fines, and arrests under the pass laws were a constant threat to many urban Africans.

But what started out as Women's Day has now become Women's Month. Now in South Africa, the whole month of August is Women's Month. That's right, ladies. We own the whole month. Minister of Women in the Presidency Susan Shabangu launched the start of Women's Month on August 1 by lighting a torch at the Union Buildings in Pretoria to symbolize the role women played in a democratic South Africa.

Last year to celebrate Women's Day (and Month)  I visited the Women's War Memorial outside Bloemfontein and learned about the invaluable role the Voortrekker women played in the 19th century on behalf of the fight for freedom from British domination and the sacrifices they endured for it. This year we will go back to the Apartheid Museum for an in depth view of the 20th century African women's struggle for freedom and equality. (Women are admitted free on Women's Day.)

In the 21st century, women are still shaping the conscience of the country in the most amazing ways. On the first day of Women's Month, I joined colleagues from the American Society of South Africa and the American Consulate to visit Sunlight Safe House in the Johannesburg CBD. We went to deliver a symbolic check representing the proceeds from our 2014 benefit held at the Consulate General's residence and to see first-hand the incredible work this organization of mostly women is doing on behalf of the children and families and indeed the future of South Africa.

The Sunlight Safe House (SSH) project was started in 1997 under the auspices of Childline Gauteng to offer emergency night time shelter to extremely vulnerable children. To date the SSH has catered for thousands of traumatized children who would have had to stay in police stations until welfare agencies opened their doors during normal working hours. The Sunlight Safe House provides overnight shelter at a central facility for children removed by the police until a suitable placement is found by relevant statutory services.

The project provides long-term foster care in loving family homes for HIV+ children and young people who are difficult to place. They currently care for 140 children and offer support services and training for the families who care for the children. And they are one of the few organizations who extend continued care and monitoring for young adults who age out of government programs once they turn 18. SSH's commitment can extend to providing bursaries and support for the advanced education of someone in their care.

Sunlight Safe House is amazing! To donate to the Sunlight Safe House in honor of Women's Month, follow this link. Happy Women's Month!