​As we welcome August, marked as Woman's Month in South Africa. We pay tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women. As we prepare to commemorate National Women's Day on August 9, 2025, the nation reflects on the remarkable journey of women's empowerment since the dawn of democracy in 1994. The declaration of this day served both to honour those courageous women and to affirm the central role of women in building the country's future. This commemoration is a poignant reminder of the bravery, strength, and resilience of the women who have shaped the nation. 
The theme for 2025 is "Building Resilient Economies for All", which is timely and urgent.  It draws attention to the need for economic growth that is inclusive and sustainable, one that not only recognizes the contributions of women but also works to remove the barriers that keep them from fully participating.
Since 1994, South Africa has made significant strides in advancing gender equality. In the political arena, women now make up over 40% of Parliament, up from just 2.7% prior to 1994. They have held prominent positions such as Speakers of Parliament, ministers of important portfolios, and even the deputy president, as well as Acting President, with South Africa ranked among the top countries globally in terms of women's political representation. However, the journey towards true equality, particularly in the economic realm, remains ongoing.
Gender equality is enshrined as a fundamental human right in the Constitution of 1996. Since then, key legislation has been passed, such as the Domestic Violence Act, Employment Equity Act, and Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) National Strategic Plan, and have strengthened legal protections for women. The next and important step toward inclusive economic planning would be a push for Government support for gender-responsive budgeting.
Another great stride has been in the health and education sector. There has been a great improvement in the maternal health services, where women are receiving quality maternal healthcare services, increased access to family planning and reproductive health services proper maternal nutrition and health education as well as mental health support. Improving maternal health is crucial for ensuring the reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity and healthy outcomes for both mothers and babies. These campaigns around reproductive rights continue to gain momentum. While girls and young women now also have better access to education than ever before, especially at primary and secondary levels which indicates significant progress toward gender equality.
Despite these achievements, there are still several systemic barriers to economic equality. While women's labour force participation has increased, it still lags behind that of men. Women, especially black women, continue to face higher unemployment rates and an overrepresentation in informal and insecure work with little social protection. Men still earn far more than women on average, for the same work. GBVF also remains a great threat to the advancement of women, as it impacts their physical safety and their ability to engage in economic activities freely and confidently.
Taking guidance from the brave women of 1956, the vision of "building resilient economies for all" will demand continued vigilance, innovation, and deliberate action to dismantle the remaining barriers and unlock the full economic potential of every woman in South Africa.
 
As the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, we stand firm in our commitment to advancing the ideals of a just, inclusive, and economically empowered society. Women are not only beneficiaries of safety and development, but they are also architects of change, drivers of innovation, and defenders of our collective progress. As we commemorate Women's Month, let us remember the powerful words of Elaine Welteroth: "When the world tells you to shrink, expand." This call to courage and self-affirmation resonates deeply with the journey of South African women, past and present.
Let this Women's Month serve as a rallying call to all of us, both women and men, to renew our efforts in creating spaces where women thrive equally and safely. May we continue to honour the legacy of the 1956 heroines by encouraging an enabling environment that recognises, respects, and rewards the contributions of women in every sphere of society. Together, let us build resilient economies for all, starting in our workplace and extending to every corner of our province. Happy Women's Month!