National Women’s Day in South Africa was made a public holiday in 1995 to commemorate the iconic 9 August 1956 March when 20,000 women of all races marched to the Union Buildings in protest of Apartheid pass laws. It also stands in significance as a symbol of our continuous fight for equal rights, safety, and equity for women in South Africa.
In recent years we’ve witnessed countless promoters and events capitalize on the public holiday and throw “Women’s Day” events where they book all-women line ups once a year, and never book those artists again. They take all the profits from these events and do not contribute to any women-focused NGOs or charities. Effectively benefiting from the struggle of our predecessors and not working as allies to better the future for women in this country.
In 2019 we’re calling for a campaign to refocus our efforts and boycott the events and promoters who have been taking advantage of our heritage.
How can you show support?
1. publicly pledge to not work with or support any promoters or events for Women’s Day celebrations, that do not support women throughout the year or do not intend to contribute a share of their profits from their events to women-focused NGOs or charities.
You can change your Facebook profile images to the #InclusionBeforeProfit frame here: www.facebook.com/profilepicframes/?selected_overlay_id=2824308724461433 or email your preferred image to shesaidsosa@gmail.com to get a social media ready image sent to you for use on all your platforms. Please tag shesaid.so SA as follows: FB @shesaid.soSA and IG: @shesaidso.za using the #InclusionBeforeProfit hashtag and referring them to our site: https://angelaweickl.wordpress.com/blog/
2. a fundraising campaign will be run to benefit 3 different women / LGBTQI focused organizations in different parts of the country. The funds raised will be split equally between the 3. The campaign will run from the end of June until the end of August 2019.
BENEFICIARIES – https://gogetfunding.com/inclusion-before-profit/
The fundraising campaign will benefit the following organizations who will each receive an equal share of 100% of the funds raised by the campaign.
POWA – https://www.powa.co.za/POWA/
Mission: To be a feminist organization that provides professional services that comprise of advocacy, training, psycho-social support, legal and sheltering to survivors of violence. POWA is committed to enhancing the quality of life of all women and girls.
Vision: A safe and equal society intolerant of all forms of violence against women and girls in all our diversity, where we are treated with respect and dignity and our rights are promoted.
OUT – https://www.out.org.za/
OUT provides direct health services to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, MSM, sex workers, and injecting drug users, including HIV testing, counseling, treatment and general lifestyle advice and support. OUT has been in existence for more than 21 years and is dedicated to the building of healthy and empowered LGBT communities in South Africa and internationally, while reducing heterosexism and homophobia in society.
The Open Door Crisis Care Centre – http://opendoor.org.za/
Issues of domestic violence and child abuse need no clarification, however, these diabolical acts against humanity leave lives broken, psychologically damaged and with feelings of total hopelessness that frequently lead to suicide. The Open Door lobbies for advocacy and prevention of secondary abuse on a daily basis, challenging anti-human rights against women and children. The Open Door is a one-stop trauma and crisis centre. They focus their attention on social issues in society, offering counseling, social support, and training. Victims of all forms of abuse are accommodated in their registered shelter. This shelter is situated in a quiet suburb with an undisclosed address to ensure the safety of the clients who are frequently at risk from perpetrators.
3. encourage women to throw their own events on 9 August and ensure the inclusion of the LGBTQI community in all efforts. get events, promoters and venues to pledge a donation of a portion of their profits made from Women’s Day marketed events to our chosen charities. Guidance and assistance with this endeavour can be requested via email shesaidsosa@gmail.com
SHESAID.SO SOUTH AFRICA 