Introduction
Stability in modern African society, its development, and improvement are fundamentally interconnected with women’s movements in the past. Due to this phenomenon, today, in the countries of Southern Africa, it is possible to observe the trend of successful modernization of states and the results of responsible leadership on the part of the government. Women played a unique role in the liberation of South Africa, and this moment was given to them through pain, sacrifice, suffering, and destruction (Apleni, 2012). Based on important and significant historical events, it should be noted that women played a vital role in the transformation of South Africa in the 20th century.
Analysis
Trade Unions (1948–1991)
Trade unions are notable organizations in South Africa. Their activity gave an extraordinary impetus for developing justice, honesty, and respect for women (LaNasa, 2020). In general, the persistent activity of the trade union women leaders allowed for achieving equality, respect, and work progress, as well as minimizing prejudices and biases towards “female inferiority.” The transformation did not occur immediately, but only after several decades; women were held in high esteem, they were paid a decent salary, and their work was recognized as almost as good as men’s.
Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW) (1954)
The goals of the FEDSAW organization in 1954 were to conduct campaigns against human rights violations and apartheid laws against non-white citizens of South Africa (“The federation of South African women,” 2020). Undoubtedly, some women representatives managed to succeed in their affairs, but only at the cost of their freedom and reputation. In this case, with the help of the FEDSAW organization, the transformation was successful only to a small extent. The role of women in this association was recognized only over time.
The Defiance Campaign (1952)
The women leaders of the Defiance Campaign in 1952 supported disagreement and dissatisfaction with the apartheid laws. It was probably one of the largest-scale nonviolent resistance in South Africa. Indeed, the Campaign’s activities have found a comprehensive response from the public. However, the political goals were not achieved due to insufficient preparation for quite obvious actions on the part of the Government and the armed forces.
Freedom Charter (1956)
The followers of the goals and philosophy of FEDSAW were South African nationals who created the Women’s Charter organization. In the same way, women actively and stubbornly fought to abolish laws that discriminate against women as full citizens of their homeland. Charter women subsequently played a meaningful role in the fight against apartheid, joining the workforce ranks and earning a more decent salary. This period was a kind of “golden mean” in the transformation of society, as the negative attitude towards women gradually softened.
The Anti-Pass Campaign (1956)
The Anti-Pass Campaign is a company that was aimed at abolishing official regulations for women of color; during the same period, a black belt symbol appeared, symbolizing the death of the Constitution. In 1956, thousands of women of various origins and skin colors marched through the streets to the buildings of Trade unions (Boddy-Evans, 2018). They demanded to repeal of the law on the forced eviction of citizens from the “wrong areas.” Nonetheless, it was the 50 years that laid the foundations for creating and maintaining more loyal living and working conditions for women.
The Sharpeville Massacre (1960)
In 1960, a new turn took place – the South African Government decided to extend the passing Act to women – an instrument of racial discrimination. The FEDSAW held a series of impressive demonstrations against the extension of the pass system to women. In the end, “Sharpeville” became the tragedy that most clearly showed that the ideology of apartheid is the road to death, not to live.
The Soweto Uprising (1976)
The Soweto Uprising in 1976 became one of the most notable in the history of the struggle against apartheid. The reason for the demonstration of young girls from the Soweto Students Action Committee was the order of the Ministry of National Education on the study in African schools of the language of white settlers – Afrikaans. The youth of Soweto still remember those moments that changed their lives for the better. Indeed, young girls were able to achieve the transformation of society, but to a small extent; the role of women has now become the most important in decision-making.
Women of Crossroads (1978)
Finally, the significance of the events in Crossroads from the 1970s to the 1990s should be highlighted. It was a period of heated debate between nationalists and socialists (Meintjes, 2011). Moreover, some female workers had to live not in the best conditions and away from white people. Due to the movements at this time, women leaders managed to draw the Government’s attention to the hardships and difficulties they had to face because of injustice (United Nations Centre Against Apartheid, 1978). Indeed, they deserved more for their efforts but received only the most modest awards.
Women Organizations
Furthermore, organizations such as ANCWL, Black Sash, and others have played a unique role in the transformation, development, and modernization of South Africa. Each of these political groups, certainly, opposed chauvinism and discrimination, as well as oppression on gender, national, social, and other grounds. It should be remembered that these associations helped to protect and promote women’s rights both within the particular region and beyond.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there have been many women in the history of South Africa who have made a significant contribution to the transformation of society, State, and Government and the struggle for gender equality. Primarily, women took an active part in the confrontation against the apartheid regime. For the most part, achievements in gender equality and justice result from many years of joint efforts from public organizations in the countries, such as FEDSAW, Freedom Charter, ANCWL, and many other associations.
References
Apleni, L. (2012). Women’s role in the transformation of South Africa. Polity.
Boddy-Evans, A. (2018). Women’s anti-pass law campaigns in South Africa: What happened when the SA government tried to force women to carry passes. ThoughtCo.
The federation of South African women (FEDSAW) is founded. (2020). South African History Online (SAHO).
LaNasa, P. (2020).The rise of women’s trade unionism in South Africa. South African History Online (SAHO).
Meintjes, S. (2011). The women’s struggle for equality during South Africa’s transition to democracy.Transformation Critical Perspectives on Southern Africa, 75(1), pp. 107-115.
United Nations Centre Against Apartheid. (1978). The effects of apartheid on the status of women in South Africa. The Black Scholar, 10(1), 11–20.