Wathint' Abafazi Wathint' imbokodo!

The English translation: "Now that you have touched the women, you have struck a rock!"

Tomorrow, I, along with South Africans, will commemorate the day, August 9, 1956, when thousands of women marched through the streets of Pretoria to the Union Building, carrying a petition with hundreds of thousands of signatures. The petition was against the proposed amendment to the 1950 Group Areas Act, commonly known as the pass laws, which, amongst other things, restricted the movement of Black men in "white only" areas. The amendment aimed to force Black women to carry pass books as well. Up until that point, only Black men above the age of 15 were required to carry around a "dompas" (dumb pass) with information including ID number, "homeland" (areas designated for specific ethnic groups, i.e. amaZulu, amaXhosa, Batswana), age, race, etc. These passes were to be carried around at all times and the carrier was required to presented it upon request. Passes also detailed whether or not the individual was allowed to move through and work in "with only" areas.

While so much as changed within South Africa to improve the lives of women, there is still so much to be done to increase women's political, social, and economic standing. Events to celebrate this day will be going on all throughout the country.

Although you may not be in South Africa tomorrow to take part in this wonderful day, you can still take the time to reflect on the impact that women have made in your life. If you are a woman, be proud that you have the power to create and just be. Each one of us can do our own part by ensuring that when we witness or are even aware of injustice directed at women (i.e. rape, domestic abuse, stalking, harassment of all forms, degradation, belittlement, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, manipulation, economic and social abuse, poverty, legal disempowerment, etc.) and do nothing, you become part of the problem instead of the solution.

Amandla!