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Today, as the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) joins South Africans in celebrating National Women’s Day, it remembers the 20 000 women, who 56 years ago, marched to the Union Buildings to protest against the historic Pass Laws. This 9 August 2012, FEDUSA honours the courage and strength of those women, and the lengths South African women have come since this event. However, we are not oblivious to the fact that true women empowerment is still a goal towards which we as a nation, men and women together, must strive.

Gretchen Humphries, FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary says; “While we celebrate our long walk to freedom as women, we must also recognize the obstacles we must still overcome in order to advance women’s social, political and economic status”. “A critical mountain to climb is the continuing tension between the position of women in traditional societies and the requirements of the Constitution”, she continues. Such tension is reflected in legislation such as the Traditional Courts Bill 2012, and the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act of 1998, which undermine the position of women in society by upholding patriarchal systems.

The Traditional Courts Bill 2012 has been criticised for not adequately providing for women’s representation and participation, and because it does not protect women in the traditional court system. Humphries continues; “Fortunately, the Traditional Courts Bill is now being reconsidered after it was rejected by FEDUSA and human rights and women’s organisations alike”.

Martle Keyter, FEDUSA Vice President for Gender explains; “FEDUSA, as an active social partner and dedicated voice in organized labour, also recognises that sustainable women empowerment requires the achievement of substantive gender equality in the workplace, that is gender equality by law and in practice”. The so-called glass ceiling, which prevents women from being promoted to the same positions as men, is one of the many barriers women face within the workplace. The International Labour Organisation reports that women across the world are not given as many opportunities as men to do the more demanding and responsible jobs which would advance their careers. “FEDUSA is actively participating in the deliberations around the proposed Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill 2012 which is being tabled at Cabinet in the coming month”, said Keyter, “we see FEDUSA as an integral participant in this process, so that the Federation can ensure that women at all levels in our economy are considered in, and stand to benefit from this very relevant legislation”. To this same effect FEDUSA is rolling out the “Equipped for Equality” campaign for Women’s month, training both men and women in gender mainstreaming skills to advance equal opportunity and treatment in the workplace.

Human trafficking is another broader societal challenge to the rights of women, as well as children. According to a March 2010 research report by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), women constitute the largest group of victims in all trafficking streams - including those within the continent and within national borders who are trafficked primarily for sexual exploitation. “There are increasing reports on the seizure of houses where women have been kept against their will and forced into prostitution and drug use. Such actions are gross violations of fundamental human rights and contravene the principle that “no one may be subjected to slavery, servitude or forced labour” states Keyter.

South Africa has signed and ratified the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children (Palermo Protocol). However, this Women’s Month FEDUSA calls on Government to make haste in the drafting of comprehensive national legislation to address human trafficking. Parliament’s Justice Portfolio Committee has yet to pass The Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Bill, which has been before Parliament for five years, despite its importance in protecting vulnerable persons.

“We will continue to empower our members and to participate in the South African legislative process for as long as it takes to ensure substantive equality for women within the workplace and society”, concluded Keyter.